MADISON, Wis. — Days after Trump banned major news networks from the White House press pool because he didn’t like their coverage, Congressman Tom Tiffany followed suit, blocking Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reporters from covering an event following this story that exposed the billionaires bankrolling Tiffany’s campaign. 

See below for the story that sent Tom Tiffany over the edge:

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: 3 billionaires put Tom Tiffany in a big cash lead over David Crowley
By: Mary Spicuzza 

  • Three billionaires are responsible for the about two-thirds of the campaign cash raised so far by Republican candidate for governor Tom Tiffany, campaign finance reports show.
  • Of the approximately $15.6 million Tiffany reported having raised in finance reports filed as of August, more than $10 million came from the Republican Party of Wisconsin and the Wisconsin Federation of College Republicans. And the vast majority of the money brought in by the party – more than 90% – has come from billionaires Richard and Elizabeth Uihlein and Diane Hendricks, according to finance reports.
  • The money has flowed to Tiffany with the help of a 2015 law passed by the Republican-controlled state Legislature that overhauled campaign finance rules, including a change that allowed unlimited contributions to state parties. Wisconsin Democrats have used the changes to their advantage in recent years, but in this race, Republicans so far have had a significant cash advantage.
  • Separately, Restoration of America PAC, which is funded largely by Richard Uihlein, has reported spending about $11.3 million to boost Tiffany and attack his Democratic opponent, Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley, campaign finance reports show. It’s one of a number of conservative groups spending big on the race.
  • All of that money has helped Tiffany head into the fall with a massive financial advantage. Crowley, who pulled off a surprise win last month following a chaotic Democratic primary, reported raising only about $1.4 million as of August.
  • Campaign finance reports due next week will provide an update about whether Crowley and his supporters have been able to close the fundraising gap.
  • The Uihleins, who own Pleasant Prairie-based Uline Corp. and live in Illinois, have donated hundreds of millions of dollars over the years to Republicans. They are considered two of the wealthiest GOP donors in the United States.
  • Hendricks is the co-founder of Beloit-based ABC Supply Co., which sells roofing and building supplies. In June, she was named the richest self-made woman in the nation for the ninth year in a row by Forbes. She was also ranked the wealthiest Wisconsinite in 2025, with a 2026 net worth of $22.3 billion. Hendricks is also a major donor to Republicans.
  • The Uihleins declined to comment.
  • Hendricks did not respond to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel’s request for an interview.
  • Crowley campaign accuses Tiffany of trying to ‘buy this campaign’
  • A Crowley campaign spokesperson accused Tiffany – as well as Hendricks and the Uihleins – of trying to “buy this election and bring Trump’s MAGA agenda, which puts corporations and billionaires before working families, to Wisconsin.”
  • “But Wisconsinites who are facing record high gas and diesel costs, bank-breaking grocery prices, and unaffordable healthcare bills will reject MAGA Congressman Tom Tiffany for always putting his billionaire backers and Trump before them,” Crowley spokesperson Philip Shulman said.
  • Most of the money from the Uihleins and Hendricks has flowed to Tiffany’s campaign through other groups, primarily the Republican Party of Wisconsin.
  • The Republican Party of Wisconsin had raised more than $24 million since July 2025, with about $23 million from the Uihleins and Hendricks, records show.
  • The Wisconsin Federation of College Republicans reported raising $1,001,695.45 during that same time period, with $1 million coming from the Uihleins.
  • The 2015 law authored by Republicans and signed by former Gov. Scott Walker allowed people to make unlimited contributions to state political parties, which can then funnel the money to their preferred candidates.
  • That’s compared to individual donations to gubernatorial candidates, which are limited to $20,000. Political action committees can give up to $86,000 to those candidates.
  • Tiffany is now a U.S. representative, but was in the state Legislature when the law passed. He and almost all of the other Republican lawmakers in Madison voted in favor of the law, although some in the GOP have spoken out against it over the years.
  • Republicans at the time, including Walker, said their party needed to reinvigorate its fundraising efforts ahead of Tiffany’s run for governor.