Kleefisch a Big Donor to Republicans

Rebecca Kleefisch. File photo from the State of Wisconsin.

A new political action committee created last summer by former GOP Lt. Gov. Rebecca Kleefisch contributed $121,000 to GOP legislative candidates and the Republican Party of Wisconsin in 2020.

Kleefisch, a likely candidate for governor in 2022, served as lieutenant governor from 2011 through 2018 when she lost reelection to a third four-year term on a joint ticket with former Republican Gov. Scott Walker.

Rebecca PAC was created in July and raised about $162,950 during the last six months of 2020. Most of the contributions to Rebecca PAC came from individuals.

Her top contributors were:

Harold Smith, of Palm Beach, Fla., a retiree whose billionaire family founded Northern Trust Corp. and Illinois Tool Works, $10,000,

Kathryn Burke, of Fox Point, owner of Burke Properties, $10,000,

Maryglen Kieckhefer, of Mequon, co-owner of the Kieckhefer Group, $8,000.

The PAC’s contributions included $5,000 to the state Republican Party and contributions of $500 to $2,000 each to nearly 100 GOP state Assembly and Senate candidates.