Rep. Glenn Grothman (R-WI) has raised approximately $1.14 million for reelection in Wisconsin's 6th Congressional District, compared with $295,000 for Democratic challenger Brad Smith. That gives Grothman a nearly 4-to-1 fundraising advantage in a race rated Solid Republican. ​

The cash gap is also substantial. As of Sept. 30, Grothman reported approximately $817,000 in cash on hand and $139,000 in debt, while Smith reported $145,000 in cash and no debt. Grothman ran unopposed in the Aug. 11 Republican primary, while Smith narrowly defeated Amanda Bell in the Democratic primary by less than 1 percentage point.

Independent Michael Thurow, who raised approximately $195,000 through Sept. 30, independent Elizabeth Fitzgibbon, and Green Party nominee Matthew Arndt are also on the ballot.

The candidates' reported donor profiles differ. Business owners contributed $34,000 to Grothman, followed by lawyers ($25,000), CEOs ($24,000) and company presidents ($23,000). Business owners alone contributed more than twice the approximately $12,000 attributed to Smith's four leading occupational categories combined.

Smith's leading occupational categories include psychotherapists ($3,300), business owners ($3,227), CEOs ($3,000), and scrum masters ($2,684), reflecting support from business owners, technology workers, and other professionals.

Donors identified as not employed or retired reportedly accounted for 47% of Grothman's itemized individual contributions ($262,000) and 48% of Thurow's ($68,000). Political action committees contributed about $368,000 to Grothman, 32% of his receipts, compared with about $6,300, or 2%, for Smith.

Outside groups reported just $19 in independent expenditures in Wisconsin's 6th District through Oct. 16, all supporting Smith. The reviewed records identified no independent expenditures supporting Grothman or opposing either major-party candidate. While fundraising alone does not determine election outcomes, Smith held approximately 17.7% of Grothman's available campaign cash as of Sept. 30, leaving him with substantially fewer financial resources.

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