Dems Go West For Recall Cash

The head of the state Democratic Party was in California Thursday raising money from wealthy special interests for Republican Governor Scott Walker's likely recall election.

At the Democratic “happy hour” event attendees met Wisconsin Dem Party chief Mike Tate and members of the Los Angeles County Democratic Party to talk about and contribute towards the recall.

The California fundraiser was a day after Walker was in Florida for a luncheon-fundraiser where he reportedly hauled in $200,000.

Tate criticized the governor in a January interview for raising millions of dollars outside Wisconsin to prepare for a likely recall.

California has been fertile fundraising territory for the Dems in recent years.

Former Democratic Governor Jim Doyle raised $176,002 from California contributors from 2002 through 2005 – second only to Illinois in out-of-state contributions to his campaign.

Overall, Democratic candidates for statewide office and the legislature accepted about $918,000 from well-heeled contributors in the Golden State – second only to Illinois – from 2001 through mid-2011.