Both U.S. House Speaker Paul Ryan of Janesville and challenger Paul Nehlen have received the vast majority of their campaign cash from outside Wisconsin. Credit: Mike De Sisti / handout

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House Speaker Paul Ryan has outraised his long-shot primary challenger by millions of dollars.

But both Ryan and first-time candidate Paul Nehlen have received the vast majority of their campaign cash from outside Wisconsin.

Nehlen, a Delavan businessman, has gotten 96% of his itemized contributions from out of state — a notably high percentage for a political newcomer.

Ryan's campaign has received 80% of its individual contributions from outside Wisconsin so far this election cycle, and more than half of his campaign's total haul has come from a joint fundraising committee that lists billionaire brothers Charles and David Koch and other conservative mega-donors among its strongest financial backers.

Nehlen reported raising about $489,000 in contributions in the second quarter of the year. That included some $173,500 in itemized contributions, of which just $6,490 — or about 4% — came from in state. The rest of those itemized contributions came from out-of-state donors.

A large portion of Nehlen's contributions — just over $300,000 — were unitemized, so it's unclear whether they came from Wisconsinites or out-of-state donors.

Nehlen also loaned $100,000 of his own money to his campaign.

Nehlen's out-of-state campaign contributions are likely due in part to some high-profile endorsements, including 2008 GOP vice presidential candidate and former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, conservative activist Michelle Malkin and conservative commentator Ann Coulter.

Palin said in May her decision was due to Ryan's initial comments that he wasn't yet ready to support presidential nominee Donald Trump.

Nehlen's campaign treasurer is Dan Backer, a Virginia-based conservative strategist who has set up a variety of far-right political action committees, including a newly formed group named Tea Party Forward. That group has routed a number of contributions to Nehlen — although many are just $2.50 donations.

Some outlets have dubbed Backer's groups "scam PACs" because his firms have received more than $1 million from these groups in the last few years.

Meanwhile, Ryan's campaign reported raising about $5.5 million in the second quarter of the year, leaving him with a daunting $9.75 million cash on hand.

The Janesville Republican's national political group, Team Ryan, has raised nearly $37.9 million since Ryan became speaker, including some $15.6 million in the second fundraising quarter of 2016.

More than half of the cash Ryan for Congress has received for this election — $8.2 million — has come from Team Ryan.

Team Ryan reported transferring $11.3 million to the National Republican Congressional Committee during the second quarter, including $5.4 million in June alone. Since Ryan became speaker, his operation has transferred more than $25 million to the NRCC.

Team Ryan's top-dollar donors include:

■Members of the Koch family: $1.2 million.

■Robert McNair, owner of the Houston Texans, and his wife: $488,400.

■Diane Hendricks, owner of ABC Supply Co.: $244,200.

■Elizabeth Uihlein, president of Uline: $241,600.

"Paul Ryan has a big responsibility raising money to keep Republicans across the entire country in office," campaign spokesman Zack Roday said Thursday. "That's a requirement of his job as speaker. He's been successful at that; and as a result Republicans are in a great position to win this election day."

Team Ryan is a federal joint fundraising committee that includes his re-election campaign and national political efforts. It includes Ryan for Congress, Prosperity Action PAC and the National Republican Campaign Committee.

Ryan was elected speaker in October. He is the the youngest, most conservative speaker in modern times.

Nehlen has accused Ryan of betraying his district, and touts his credentials as a businessman a political outsider ready to take on the party establishment.

A Nehlen spokeswoman did not respond to a request for comment about his recent fundraising numbers.

They will face off in the Aug. 9 primary.