Article: Real estate agents give to officials, candidates $1.4 million in contributions includes $406,000 to Thompson

Wisconsin real estate agents and developers spent $1.4 million giving to candidates and directly lobbying state officials between 1993 and 1997, including $406,000 given to the campaign fund of Gov. Tommy Thompson, according to a report issued Monday.

The report from the non-partisan Wisconsin Democracy Campaign painted a picture of a major special-interest group using all the tools available from annual lunches with legislators to donations poured into close campaigns to shape public policy.

Real estate agents are one of only a handful of major trade groups that gain a political advantage by "being able to provide money for campaigns," said Gail Shea, executive director of the Wisconsin ...

Related newspaper, magazine, and journal articles:

 
 
Newsweek Harper's Magazine The Washington Post Chicago Tribune Crain's Chicago Business PRNewswire Pediatric News The Nation Advertising Age The Economist (US) A FREE trial gives you access to over 80 million articles! Access over 6,500 publications with a FREE trial!