RACINE, Wis. — The Democratic Party of Racine County has filed a complaint asking the Wisconsin Ethics Commission to investigate repeated apparent campaign finance reporting failures by Racine County District Attorney Tricia Hanson’s campaign committee — Friends to Elect Tricia Hanson.

State records identify Hanson’s committee as delinquent for the 2024 Fall Pre-Primary Report and the January Continuing 2025 Report. The committee also appears to have failed to file required January and July 2026 reports, despite having no reported 2026 filing exemption.

The missing July 2026 report is particularly serious because Hanson’s committee was actively spending political money during that reporting period, including a $1,000 contribution to Cary Madrigal’s campaign for Racine County Sheriff.

Hanson has publicly described herself as a co-manager of Madrigal’s campaign. A separate campaign finance complaint has also been filed against Madrigal’s campaign alleging multiple campaign finance violations.

“This is no longer one candidate making one paperwork mistake,” said Kelly Gallaher, Chair of the Democratic Party of Racine County. “The county’s top prosecutor is helping manage a sheriff candidate’s campaign while both campaigns now face complaints over their campaign finance practices. That should deeply concern Racine County voters.”

The complaint asks the Ethics Commission to investigate Hanson’s complete filing history, require any delinquent reports to be filed, and impose any penalties warranted under Wisconsin law.

“Campaign finance disclosure is the bare minimum of accountability for anyone seeking public trust. For the county’s chief prosecutor and a candidate for county sheriff, the standard should be higher — not lower.”