Scott Walker challenger Dana Wachs, Republicans squabble over legislative expense payments

MADISON - Republicans are questioning taxpayer-funded expense payments claimed by Democratic state Rep. Dana Wachs, one of 10 candidates seeking to challenge GOP Gov. Scott Walker.

Since 2013, Wachs has claimed expense payments on 14 days when the only items on his official calendar were related to political events or work at his law firm.

Through a spokeswoman, Wachs said on those days he was working on legislative matters or traveling from his Eau Claire home to Madison for state business.

"Only a liberal trial attorney like Dana Wachs would think that it's acceptable for taxpayers to foot the bill for his personal work trips to Madison," said a statement from Alec Zimmerman, a spokesman for the state Republican Party.

Wachs spokeswoman Olivia Hwang said the attack showed Republicans view Wachs as a political threat.

"While the Republican Party is busy attacking Dana for doing the work the folks who elected him expect of him, Gov. Walker is busy flying around the state on the taxpayer’s dime to promote his re-election bid," Hwang said in a statement. "Dana works at the Capitol to advocate on behalf of his constituents and to fight for their rights."

On some days, Wachs claimed expense stipends when the only entries on his calendar were for work at his law firm, such as on Aug. 27, 2014, when his calendar listed “Dana — depositions in Madison.”

Hwang said Wachs was working for constituents in his Capitol office for part of that day. His wife, attorney Beverly Wickstrom, handled the depositions, Hwang said.

Wachs also claimed an expense payment on Dec. 11, 2017, when the only item on his official calendar was a jury trial in Chippewa County. Hwang said Wachs was preparing for a legislative hearing the next day; Wickstrom was to handle that trial, but it got postponed. 

Wachs also claimed his expense stipend on Oct. 21, 2016, a day when his calendar listed a daylong legal education class and no official business. Hwang said Wachs attended the class but also met with his legislative staff that day.

On other days that Wachs didn’t list official business, Hwang said Wachs claimed expense stipends because he was traveling to the Capitol for official business or working on legislation or constituent issues.

She said there were other days when Wachs performed work for the state but didn’t claim expenses.

All lawmakers can claim payments for expenses for days they are in Madison. The payments come on top of their $ $50,950 salary and are meant to cover meals, lodging and other costs.

Wachs’ payments ranged from $79 to $157 per day.

RELATED:Ten Democrats — and counting — will be on the primary ballot to challenge Gov. Scott Walker

Wachs and nine others are running in the Aug. 14 primary for the Democratic nomination. The others are: state Schools Superintendent Tony Evers; former state party chairman Matt Flynn; Milwaukee businessman Andy Gronik; liberal activist Mike McCabe; firefighters union president Mahlon Mitchell; Kenosha attorney Josh Pade; former state Rep. Kelda Roys of Madison; Madison Mayor Paul Soglin; and state Sen. Kathleen Vinehout of Alma.

The GOP criticism of Wachs’ payments is one sign that Republicans view him as one of the candidates who could get through the primary. The state Republican Party unveiled a website Thursday that criticizes nine of the candidates on a range of issues and claims they are engaged in a “dangerous race to the left.”