Sanders fundraises for Feingold in Wisconsin Senate race

Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders is using his prodigious fundraising power to help former Sen. Russ Feingold’s campaign to win back his seat. 

“We are going to have to elect candidates up and down the ballot who recognize that it is too late for establishment politics and economics,” Sanders wrote Thursday to his national fundraising list, urging them to support the Wisconsin Democrat.

{mosads}Democrats see Wisconsin as a prime pickup opportunity. Feingold is seeking to unseat Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.).

Johnson ousted Feingold in a 2010 election; he is considered one of the most vulnerable GOP incumbents of this cycle.

Sanders’s email touted Feingold’s work in the Senate on issues including strengthening the Affordable Care Act, campaign finance and voting against the Iraq War.

It’s not the first time the Vermont senator has tried to help out downballot candidates. His campaign noted Thursday that he’s also helped raise money for congressional candidates in Nevada, New York, Washington and Florida.

“Bernie has always said this movement is about something bigger than him,” said Jeff Weaver, Sanders’s campaign manager. “Electing more candidates like Russ Feingold means progressives in the Senate can ensure the debates in Washington put working families ahead of corporate profits.”

Sanders’s move earned praise from top Democrats in the Senate.

Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) told reporters Tuesday that he had spoken to Feingold and that he was “very happy that Senator Sanders is supporting him big-time.”

Democrats will regain control of the Senate if they gain five seats this fall — or four seats if they also keep the White House.

Republicans quickly pounced on Sanders’s decision to help raise money for Feingold. 

Pat Garrett, the spokesman for the Republican Party of Wisconsin, said that Feingold “has demonstrated he will cast aside promises made to Wisconsin and rely on out-of-state donations to further his political career.” 

The National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) said by talking about Feingold’s vote against the Patriot Act or work on ObamaCare, Sanders is helping highlight the GOP’s criticisms of Feingold.

“Senator Sanders should consider a career in Republican communications for highlighting some of Senator Feingold’s worst hits during his 18 years Washington,” the group said in a statement. 

Speaking to reporters late last month, Feingold refused to say if he voted for Sanders or Hillary Clinton in the state’s primary, according to a local radio station. 

—This story was updated at 10:35 a.m.