RACINE COUNTY, Wis. — The Democratic Party of Racine County is seeking an investigation into apparent campaign finance reporting violations by Racine County Sheriff candidate Cary Madrigal. A review of reports filed by the Friends to Elect Cary Madrigal committee reveal numerous errors, inconsistencies, misclassified transactions, and apparent omissions of campaign expenses and in-kind contributions which concerns both the committee’s July. Continuing filing and its more recent Fall Pre-Primary report.

“Recent events have shown that accurate, lawful campaign finance reporting isn’t a high bar—it’s the minimum standard for earning the public’s trust,” said Kelly Gallaher, Chair of the Democratic Party of Racine County. “Cary Madrigal is asking voters to trust her to enforce the law while her own campaign repeatedly files reports that appear to disregard basic legal requirements.”

The complaint identifies repeated errors and omissions across two campaign finance reports, including apparent unreported campaign event and parade expenses, vendor payments reported as political committee transfers, improperly reported in-kind contributions, incomplete contributor information, a potentially inaccurate cash balance, and an unsigned and undated filing.

“These are not minor paperwork errors,” Gallaher said. “The reports repeatedly appear to misstate or omit the basic facts voters are entitled to know: who gave the campaign money, how those contributions were classified, and where the money was spent.”

“When a campaign cannot account for obvious campaign activity, that raises serious questions about integrity, accountability, and basic compliance with the law.”

The complaint requests that any investigation not be referred to Racine County District Attorney Tricia Hanson because Hanson has publicly identified herself as a co-manager of Madrigal’s campaign, creating a possible conflict of interest.

“Wisconsin law authorizes civil forfeitures of up to $500 per campaign-finance violation,” said Gallaher. “The two Madrigal reports contain dozens of transactions alleged to have been incorrectly reported, as well as apparent campaign events and parade costs that appear to not be reported at all. Taken together, the potential statutory exposure could reach tens of thousands of dollars.”

Madrigal will appear on the November 4, 2026 ballot. Her opponent is Democratic candidate Don Vandervest.