Gov. Scott Walker raised nearly three times more campaign cash in the fourth quarter of 2013 compared with Democratic challenger Mary Burke. Credit: Associated Press

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Gov. Scott Walker raised more than $5 million in the last half of 2013 — nearly triple what his Democratic opponent raised — and directed more than $86,000 of that to defense attorneys, according to a Friday filing with state election officials.

The disclosure of the payment to the Mequon-based Biskupic & Jacobs law firm came a day after information spilled out in court records about a secret John Doe investigation into campaign fundraising and spending surrounding Wisconsin's recent recall elections.

The payments — labeled as "legal fees — compliance/administrative" — were paid to a firm headed by former U.S. Attorneys Steven Biskupic and Michelle Jacobs. The firm received payments monthly from July to November, with the largest one — nearly $74,000 — coming in November.

Asked about the payments, Walker campaign spokesman Jonathan Wetzel said the campaign "relies on Biskupic & Jacobs for a variety of legal services." The two attorneys did not immediately return calls late Friday.

In an earlier John Doe probe, Walker's campaign paid nearly $650,000 for lawyers representing the governor and his campaign committee.

Nearly $200,000 went to Michael Best & Friedrich for so-called "compliance issues" related to that investigation. The campaign retained Biskupic, a former Michael Best lawyer who has since left the firm, shortly before the 2010 general election.

In addition, Walker set up a defense fund that dispensed $432,754 to the Chicago and Milwaukee firms for which his two criminal defense lawyers worked. A boutique Madison law firm and APCO Worldwide, a Chicago-based public relations firm, received another $15,000 from Walker's defense account.

All of the money in the defense fund originally came from Walker's campaign account.

Milwaukee County prosecutors closed the first John Doe probe without bringing charges against anyone in Walker's current administration. The latest investigation targets five unknown suspects in five counties in southern Wisconsin and hinges on alleged campaign finance violations.

Walker's Friday filing with election authorities showed he spent $2.7 million from July to December and had a formidable $4.6 million on hand heading into this election year. By comparison, his Democratic opponent, Mary Burke, had $1.3 million in cash at the start of the year, according to her campaign.

Candidates were to file fundraising and spending reports with state elections officials by midnight Friday.

Burke — a former Trek Bicycle Corp. executive and former state commerce secretary — filed her report, but it was not posted on the state's campaign finance website as of Friday evening. She announced three weeks ago she had raised nearly $1.8 million in the final three months of 2013, including $400,000 from her own wallet.

Also Friday, filings in the race for attorney general showed Waukesha County District Attorney Brad Schimel, a Republican, outraised his three Democratic rivals. Schimel took in more than twice as much as the best Democratic fundraiser in the race, Rep. Jon Richards of Milwaukee.

The filings give an early glimpse at the state of this year's top two statewide races. Republicans had the cash advantage in both contests, but Democrats noted their candidates got in the races later, giving them less time to make their pitches to donors.

"Raising campaign cash from wealthy, out-of-state special interests has never been Walker's problem," Burke spokesman Joe Zepecki said in a statement. "His problem is his approach — that if those at the very top are doing OK everyone else will feel the effects of trickle down — doesn't work."

Stephan Thompson, the governor's campaign manager, countered that nearly three out of four contributions to Walker came from small-time donors who sent in $50 or less.

"It's the incredible support from the grass roots that will enable Governor Walker to continue moving Wisconsin forward," he said.

An analysis of Walker's filings showed more than half his funds in 2013 came from out-of-state residents.

Also Friday, Burke sought to grab some of the day's headlines by announcing endorsements from more than 80 businesspeople. They included Kevin Conroy, the president and chief executive officer of Exact Sciences, who in the past entertained the idea of running against Walker.

Among the other supporters were angel investor Jeff Rusinow, Kyle Weatherly of Solaris Medical and RFS Investments owner Ron Skoronski. Skoronski gave $9,000 to Walker in 2010.

For his part, Walker has already received strong support from commercial groups in the state, such as Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce, the state's biggest business lobby, and the Wisconsin Grocers Association.

"Wisconsin's job creators recognize that Wisconsin is moving forward, and have no desire to turn back the clock to the policies which led to a $3.6 billion deficit and massive job loss," said a statement from Wetzel, the Walker campaign spokesman.

In the race for attorney general, Schimel raised nearly $177,000 in the closing months of 2013 and had $172,000 in cash. The lone Republican in the race, Schimel announced his run in October.

Running in the Democratic primary are Richards, Dane County District Attorney Ismael Ozanne and Jefferson County District Attorney Susan Happ.

Richards raised more than $64,000 and had more than $92,000 in his account at the beginning of the year.

Ozanne, who got in the race in November, raised more than $44,500 and had almost $51,000 on hand as of the start of the year, according to his campaign.

His total includes $20,000 he personally lent to his campaign in November. That loan comes on top of earlier ones totaling $12,000, his report showed.

Happ, who announced her run this month, filed a report saying her campaign hadn't raised any donations or spent any money in the last six months of 2013.

In other filings:

■ In the most closely watched legislative race, Rep. Howard Marklein (R-Spring Green) had more than 15 times as much money as his Democratic opponent in his bid to replace outgoing state Sen. Dale Schultz (R-Richland Center).

Marklein raised about $27,800 in the second half of last year and had more than $142,000 on hand. Former Transportation Department budget director Ernie Wittwer raised about $9,400 since getting in the race in October and had a similar amount on hand.

For his part, Schultz — who this week announced he wouldn't seek another term after 30 years in the Legislature — raised just $850.

■Senate President Mike Ellis (R-Neenah) raised about $55,400 and had about $182,200 in cash on hand. His opponent, Rep. Penny Bernard Schaber (D-Appleton), said she raised more than $70,000 and had about $100,000 in her account.

■Former Sen. Van Wanggaard (R-Racine) raised more than $52,000 and had nearly $58,000 on hand in his bid to return to the Legislature after losing a 2012 recall.

His opponent in the Republican primary, Jonathan Steitz, raised more than $31,500 and had about $27,400 on hand.

The seat is held by Sen. John Lehman (D-Racine), who is running for lieutenant governor. The district has been significantly redrawn, transforming it from one that routinely bounced between the parties in recent decades to one that is strongly Republican.

■Lt. Gov. Rebecca Kleefisch announced she raised more than $256,335 from July through December. She had more than $334,000 in her account at the end of the year.

In his bid for lieutenant governor, Lehman took in nearly $9,100 and had about $10,600 on hand.

Kevin Crowe of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel contributed to this report.