Democrat State Rep. Steve Doyle is accused of bypassing campaign finance limits in his La Crosse County Board race by funneling them through his Assembly Re-Election Committee.
Democrat Wisconsin Rep. Steve Doyle is facing an ethics complaint over possible unlawful campaign contributions in his bid for reelection to the La Crosse County Board.
Chris Muller, another Board candidate, submitted the complaint to the La Crosse County Clerk’s Office on Tuesday, citing multiple $1,000 donations from individual contributors listed in Doyle’s recent filing, greatly exceeding maximum donations in county races.
According to guidance from the clerk’s office, contributions to county board candidates in districts with populations of 25,000 or fewer are capped at $500 per individual per calendar year.
Doyle’s “Friends of Steve Doyle” committee reported at least five such $1,000 gifts during the Jan. 1 to March 23 period, including from donors in Milwaukee, La Crosse and even California. The committee, which was set up to support Doyle’s state Assembly campaigns, reported total contributions of nearly $14,700 in the pre-election filing, with a substantial cash balance exceeding $1 million.
The complaint highlights concerns that Doyle is operating both his state legislative and county board efforts under the single committee name. Muller’s letter asks the clerk to clarify how contributions are allocated between the two races and whether county-specific limits are being enforced.
It also seeks details on safeguards to prevent commingling of funds in a way that could skirt local rules.
“Transparency and accountability are essential to maintaining trust in our local elections,” Muller said in a statement. “When voters see potential inconsistencies in campaign finance reporting, they deserve clear answers and equal enforcement of the rules.”
The complaint requests a prompt review by the County Clerk and guidance on compliance when a candidate maintains a combined committee. Wisconsin campaign finance laws set contribution limits for local offices based on district population, aiming to curb undue influence in smaller races like county board contests.
Doyle, a longtime Democrat who has served on the County Board for decades before his election to the Assembly in 2011, did not immediately respond to requests for comment. His committee’s report lists the contributions without noting any earmarking for specific races, though some are flagged as “local race” support.
This arrangement raises significant concerns, as using one war chest for both a powerful state Assembly seat and a local supervisor position could allow donors to effectively bypass stricter local limits while gaining influence at multiple levels of government.
“These rules exist to create a level playing field for all candidates,” Muller said. “It’s important that they are applied uniformly so voters can have confidence in the integrity of our elections.”
