Big Wisconsin donors line up behind Leah Vukmir, Kevin Nicholson in GOP race for U.S. Senate

Big donors are lining up behind Delafield businessman Kevin Nicholson and state Sen. Leah Vukmir of Brookfield in the race for the Republican nomination to take on Democratic U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin next year.

Nicholson is the only declared candidate, but Vukmir is poised to formally enter the race.

The most prominent deep-pocketed Republicans are already on opposite sides in the race.

Beloit billionaire Diane Hendricks, owner of ABC Supply, is backing Vukmir, serving as her finance co-chair. Mary Kohler, the widow of Republican activist Terry Kohler, will be on the campaign committee, Vukmir confirmed this week.

Richard Uihlein and his wife, Elizabeth, who live in Lake Forest, Ill., and own Pleasant Prarie-based Uline Corp., are siding with Nicholson.

Richard Uihlein has already put in $3.5 million into a PAC that is supporting Nicholson and $1.5 million into Club for Growth PAC, the powerful pro-business lobby that has backed Nicholson.

On Thursday, Nicholson unveiled the first 14 members of his campaign finance committee, which include the Uihleins.

Leading the fundraising effort is Mary Stitt, who has raised money for Gov. Scott Walker and House Speaker Paul Ryan of Janesville.

Other prominent figures on the committee include developer Terrence Wall, who ran unsuccessfully for the 2010 GOP U.S. Senate nomination; developer Matt Neumann, whose father Mark served in the House and ran unsuccessfully for statewide office; and Minocqua-based businessman Trygve Solberg.

Also on the committee is Dan Ariens, chairman and chief executive officer of the Ariens Co., and a past chair of Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce.

“Kevin is the conservative outsider Wisconsin needs in the U.S. Senate,” said Nicholson finance committee member Jeff Harris.

Early interest in the GOP race is fueled by the national Republican effort to turn Wisconsin completely red. The GOP views the incumbent, Baldwin, as vulnerable, especially in a state that went for President Donald Trump in 2016.

Earlier this month, the National Republican Senatorial Committee went up with its first radio advertisement attacking Baldwin.

Democrats are upbeat about Baldwin's chances to hold the seat.

"It's no surprise that millionaires and billionaires from in and out of state are lining up to spend millions attacking Tammy Baldwin for standing up for Wisconsin against Washington special interests," said Gillian Drummond of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin. "Kevin Nicholson and Leah Vukmir cannot be trusted to fight for Wisconsin when they are dependent on a wealthy few to get elected."