Ron Johnson outraised by Russ Feingold, emboldened by primary results

MADISON — Republican Sen. Ron Johnson's re-election campaign feels emboldened by the outcome of last week's election in Wisconsin, even as the incumbent struggles to raise as much money as Democratic challenger Russ Feingold.

Johnson raised about 60 percent less than Feingold in the first three months of the year. Feingold brought in nearly $3.4 million compared with $2.1 million for Johnson.

But Johnson's campaign manager Betsy Ankney says in a strategy memo obtained by The Associated Press on Tuesday, April 12th that "we are confident we will have the resources we need to win."

Ankney says the political climate in Wisconsin remains favorable for Johnson. She points to high Republican voter turnout in Wisconsin's presidential primary and the victory of a conservative state Supreme Court justice.

The election is November 8th.

Feingold is highlighting his travels across Wisconsin in his first ad of the U.S. Senate race pitting him against Johnson.

Feingold doesn't mention Johnson in the 60-second ad that began airing Monday, April 11th. Instead, Feingold touts his traveling to all 72 Wisconsin counties and meeting with voters as he campaigns against Johnson.

Johnson spokesman Brian Reisinger says in response that the senator has been continuously traveling all 72 of Wisconsin's counties listening to voters.

Feingold's ad comes after the conservative group Americans for Prosperity spent $1.1 million on a statewide ad buy for Johnson last week. Another group backing Johnson launched a new ad attacking Feingold on national security on Monday.

Johnson has not yet run any ads of his own.