Harley Gave Generously to Republicans
So did Sartori Foods. Both now hurt by Trump tariffs.
Gov. Scott Walker visiting the Harley-Davidson Museum. Photo from the State of Wisconsin.
Here’s a look at the campaign contributions by Harley-Davidson and Sartori Foods employees to legislative and statewide candidates in Wisconsin.
The iconic Milwaukee-based motorcycle manufacturer recently announced it would be moving some production abroad because the European Union raised tariffs on American-made motorcycles from 6 percent to 31 percent. The increase was in response to earlier tariffs on European steel and aluminum imposed by GOP President Donald Trump.
Meanwhile, Sartori cheese exports will see tariff increases of 15 percent to 25 percent.
Between January 2010 and December 2017, campaign contributions from Harley-Davidson and Sartori totaled about $69,000, including about $54,250 to Republicans and about $14,775 to Democrats.
Republican Gov. Scott Walker tops the list of Harley and Sartori contribution recipients, accepting about $45,100 between January 2010 and December 2017.
Other top recipients were:
Mary Burke, a former Democratic candidate for governor, about $5,835;
Tom Barrett, a former Democratic candidate for governor, about $5,735;
GOP Lt. Gov. Rebecca Kleefisch, $3,050;
GOP Sen. Van Wanggaard, of Racine, $1,200;
State Senate Democratic Committee, $1,000;
Jon Richards, a former Democratic state senator and lieutenant governor candidate, $1,000.
The companies’ top contributors to legislative and statewide candidates were:
Harley-Davidson attorney Paul J. Jones, of Fox Point, $15,500, all of which went to Walker;
Harley-Davidson attorney Edward Krishok, of Milwaukee, $9,400;
Sartori Foods president James Sartori, of Plymouth, $7,725, of which $3,950 went to Walker.
More about the Trump Tariffs
- Tiffany Splits with Trump on Renaming Lake Ontario - Danielle Kaeding - Aug 29th, 2026
- How A U.S.-Canada Tariff Fight Hits Wisconsin’s Small Businesses - Richelle Wilson - Aug 28th, 2026
- New Trump Tariffs, Same Old Support From MAGA Extremist Congressman Tom Tiffany - Democratic Party of Wisconsin - Aug 24th, 2026
- Gov. Evers Blasts President Trump, Republicans in Congress for Trade War With Wisconsin’s Largest Export Partner, Leaving America’s Dairyland in the Lurch - Gov. Tony Evers - Aug 24th, 2026
- Dem Gov Nominee David Crowley Calls Out Maga Congressman Tom Tiffany for Refusing to Stand Up for Wisconsin’s Farmers and Manufacturers Against New Tariff Taxes - David Crowley - Aug 24th, 2026
- Wisconsin DOJ Sues Trump Administration Again to Stop Illegal Tariffs - Wisconsin Department of Justice - Aug 3rd, 2026
- Op Ed: Trump Tariffs Have Failed - John Torinus - Sep 27th, 2020
- Murphy’s Law: Trump Tariffs Slam Wisconsin Economy - Bruce Murphy - Jun 29th, 2020
- Baldwin Calling on Trump Administration to Take Action and Support Wisconsin Hardwood Businesses Hurt by Trade War - U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin - Feb 25th, 2020
- Trade War Wounds May Heal Soon - Erik Gunn - Feb 21st, 2020
Read more about Trump Tariffs here
Campaign Cash
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Outside Groups Spent Record $28.8 Million on State Supreme Court Race
May 7th, 2023 by Erik Gunn
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Top 20 Donors to State Political Parties
Apr 4th, 2023 by Peter Cameron and Hina Suzuki
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$38 Million Spent on High Court Race
Mar 29th, 2023 by Erik Gunn
I don’t see the concern – how much, for instance, does the WI Realtors Association spread around?
According to the Wisdc.org – “Between 2012 and 2016, the committee spent nearly $700,000 to support Republican legislative candidates and the 2013 reelection of conservative Wisconsin Supreme Court Chief Justice Patience Roggensack. “
It’s not so much a concern as an irony. For their contributions to Trump, both companies got a more difficult business climate and H-D got attacked. Seems consistent with what we know about Trump’s business practices.
Saw your sorry excuse of an interview on the channel 12 app.
You should be ashamed of yourself talking about your great president like
That. Your not worthy of him gracing your crime ridden city.
Right Bruce. When the hell are people going to learn. It’s like they are waiting for Old Faithful to gush beer.
Ha Harley! Got yours for contributing to nasty donnie now didn’t you.
Harley has more significant problems than tariffs. Like decreasing interest by what might have been a next generation of customers. Even lowering the price 10 or 20% wouldn’t make a difference. Am I cynical to suggest H-D is using this as cover to shift blame from their deeper problems? And tariffs benefit some, not others. Others have had their time in the sun and the economy is shfting. A ‘more difficult business climate’ for some, not for others.
you know there’s always companies that make pothole fill. Milwaukee is a huge market for them! Barrett: a nice guy! Just out of curiosity, why not hold Barrett to the same scrutiny you do Walker? Or actually ask what the hell is going on in City Hall?That would seem to be more UM’s ‘Mission’.