Daily Recall Election Roundup: May 2

Every day between now and the May 8 primary recall elections, Patch will provide regular updates on what's happening in the campaigns of those who want to be our next governor. Check back with this column throughout the day for the latest from the campaign trail.

7:20 p.m. Walker says he continues to stand by bargaining bill

Gov. Scott Walker told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that he continues to stand by the controversial collective bargaining bill, even he faces recall for it. 

He also said that his opponents Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett and former Dane County Executive Kathleen Falk, have failed explain how they would fix the state's budget problem. 

 Walker said that Milwaukee County District Attorney John Chisholm asked him not to comment on the probe.

3:50 p.m. Group reports billionaires gave nearly $1.4 million to Walker

Nine members of the exclusive Forbes U.S. Billionaires List gave nearly $1.4 million to Gov. Walker over the last four months, according to One Wisconsin Now’s analysis of his most recent campaign finance filing.

The group reports Gov. Walker’s most recent billionaire backers are:

• Sheldon Adelson gave Gov. Walker a $250,000 contribution. The Sands Casino CEO is ranked 7th on Forbes US Billionaires list and was also the major backer of failed presidential candidate Newt Gingrich’s SuperPAC.
• James Goodnight, founder of the software company SAS Institute, ranks 43rd on the Forbes US Billionaires and donated $25,000 to Gov. Walker.
• Richard DeVos, number 64 on the Forbes US Billionaires list, donated $250,000 to Governor Walker.
• Beloit billionaire Diane Hendricks ranks 138th on the Forbes US Billionaires and dropped a cool $500,000 in one check to Gov. Walker.
• Warren Stephens, chairman of the financial services company Stephens Inc., donated $100,000 from his perch as 148th on the Forbes US Billionaires list.
• Stanley Druckenmiller, number 164 on the Forbes US Billionaires, gave $25,000.
• Home Depot founder Bernard Marcus is ranked number 188 on the Forbes US Billionaires and donated $25,000.
• Louis Bacon donated $100,000 to Gov. Walker. He runs Moore Capital Management and ranks 330th on the Forbes US Billionaires.
• Patrick Ryan, 390 on the Forbes US Billionaires and CEO of insurance firm Ryan Specialty Group, gave $100,000.

3:26 p.m. New Poll Puts Barrett Ahead Over Falk in Recall Primary



Barrett's closest rival Falk trails by 17 points; 38 percent to 21 percent. Barrett also leads the Republican governor by a single digit by 47 percent to 46 percent among registered voters, however, Walker reverses that one-point lead with likely voters at 48 percent to 47 percent. 

3:20 p.m. Barrett Calls on Walker to Answer Questions About His Criminal Defense Fund

, according to press release from Democrat candidate Tom Barrett's campaign. Barrett called on Walker to explain how and why he has or needs this fund.

Six of Scott Walker's former aides and associates have been charged with 15 felonies and 3 misdemeanors as part of an ongoing criminal corruption probe into Walker's past administration.  

Barrett also called on Walker to identify the contributors who authorized use of their donations to go toward the criminal defense fund.

12:05 p.m. Walker applauds even small job creation

Gov. Scott Walker applauds companies' announcements for small job creation in the state, according to the Wisconsin State Journal.

Walker was in Waukesha on Wednesday morning at Spancrete. The company is recalling 55 to 60 laid-off workers and adding 30 more jobs.

10:30 a.m.: Walker recall most expensive political campaign in Wisconsin history

Gov. Scott Walker's recall election has surpassed the previous record for fundraising and spending in any single political race in Wisconsin, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

It is reported that about $42 million has been spend and raised by Walker and by independent groups. Democracy Campaign executive director Mike McCabe predicts that spending in the recall race could end up between $60 million to $80 million.

7:45 a.m.: Democrats square off in candidates forum

The four Democrats running for governor in Tuesday's primary — Kathleen Falk, Tom Barrett, Doug La Follette and Kathleen Vinehout — are will take place in candidates forum at 6:30 p.m. at the Wisconsin African American Women’s Center, 3020 W. Vliet St.

Falk also has scheduled a press conference at the center at 6 p.m.

Differences noted in Falk, Barrett Twitter campaigns

In April, Barrett's campaign (@Barrett4WI) tweeted 89 times, while Falk's campaign (@FalkforWI) published 236 tweets. That's not including retweets or tweets that begin with an at-mention.

The bulk of Falk's last 100 tweets (about 41 percent) provide information about campaign events and appearances. An additional 16 percent of her tweets mention Walker, usually criticizing his actions as governor.

• Related: 

Comparatively, Barrett spends significantly fewer tweets on his campaign events (about 27 percent), and more on Walker, totaling about 34 percent of his 70 tweets since he announced his candidacy.