Challenger Jeff Wright outraised state Superintendent Jill Underly more than 2-to-1 during the most recent reporting period even though he didn’t start raising money until nearly two months after the incumbent began her efforts.
Wright, the Sauk Prairie superintendent, reported $84,793 raised between Oct. 6 and Dec. 31. He spent $5,634 and had $79,823 in the bank.
His haul included $30,000 from executives with Kraemer Brothers, a construction firm, along with $7,500 from retiree Jennifer Kraemer.
Underly reported $39,071 raised between Aug. 17 and Dec. 31. She spent $28,131 and finished the year with $35,326 in the bank.
Longtime Dem donor John Miller, of Fox Point, gave Underly $10,000, the largest donation she reported. Former UW Board of Regents President Karen Walsh gave her $5,000.
Meanwhile, education consultant Brittany Kinser, reported $15,000 in donations over the last two weeks of December and no expenses.
The three square off in a Feb. 18 primary to narrow the field to the two candidates who will appear on the April 1 ballot.