Madison, WI — Pete Karas, Wisconsin Green Party candidate for Secretary of State, has filed his year-end campaign finance report, announcing $30,495 raised in cash donations during the current election cycle—a strong showing for a third-party candidate powered by grassroots donors across Wisconsin.
Karas says the fundraising totals send a clear message: voters are ready for competition, transparency, and real choices beyond the two-party system. “This campaign is proving what political insiders refuse to acknowledge—Wisconsinites are done being boxed in by a broken two-party system,” said Karas. “People want options, and they’re responding to a campaign that challenges politics as usual.”
According to campaign finance filings, Democratic candidate Jocasta Zamarripa, who is facing a contested primary, reported raising $65,155 this cycle. Another Democratic candidate, Collin McNamara, reported raising $2,155.00. However, Lorenzo Southall, also a Democrat running in the race, failed to file his required year-end campaign finance report by the 5:00 p.m. deadline. Karas said the contrast underscores why voters are increasingly skeptical of the political establishment.
“Transparency matters, especially in an office that oversees elections and record-keeping,” Karas said. “Voters deserve candidates who take accountability seriously and follow the rules they’re asking the public to trust.”
Karas emphasized that the Secretary of State race is uniquely positioned to break the grip of the two-party system without the fear commonly associated with third-party voting. “The Secretary of State’s office has no real policy-making authority,” Karas said. “That makes this the perfect race for voters to reject the spoiler myth, vote their values, and send a powerful message that democracy should offer more than two choices.”
Running under the Wisconsin Green Party banner, Karas says his campaign represents a growing movement to challenge entrenched political power and restore meaningful competition to Wisconsin elections.
“For decades, voters have been told they have no alternative,” Karas added. “This race proves that’s wrong. Wisconsin deserves a political system that works for the people, not the parties—and this campaign is showing that change is not only possible, it’s already underway.” Karas pledged to continue building a people-powered campaign focused on transparency, voter empowerment, and opening Wisconsin’s democracy to new voices.
For more information about Pete Karas and his campaign for Wisconsin Secretary of State, visit www.petekaras.com
