Governor Walker pays off presidential campaign debt

MADISON — Gov. Scott Walker has fully paid off the debt he accrued during his short-lived presidential run.

Walker owed $1.2 million when he dropped out of the race in 2015 after 71 days. By the end of November, he had paid all but $140,000. Walker had promised to pay off all the debt by the end of 2016.

Walker campaign adviser Joe Fadness said in a memo to Walker on Friday that the debt has been erased thanks to robust fundraising in December. He hinted that the strong fundraising in December shows Walker is in a good position for a third gubernatorial run.

Fadness told Walker he's showing strength at a crucial time and noted the governor has about 30 fundraising events scheduled for the first half of 2017.