Records: Walker repays for security travel costs

Associated Press | Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

MILWAUKEE - Gov. Scott Walker has repaid the state of Wisconsin what is billed so far for travel costs incurred by his taxpayer-funded security detail during his presidential run, according to new records. But a potentially bigger bill is coming.

Walker’s campaign paid $67,300 on Nov. 23, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported. That covers the last of $125,100 the Republican governor had promised to reimburse taxpayers for travel costs of his security detail while he prepared to run for president.

But the state has yet to bill Walker for travel costs in the third quarter. That period covers his now-ended presidential campaign, which Walker announced in July and abandoned in September after just 71 days.

In April, Walker’s political committee pledged to pick up the costs for airfare, hotel and meals for his State Patrol security team when it travels with him to political events.

Walker’s political operations earlier paid $58,000 to the state.

“The state has received full payments for all of the invoices that have been sent. It is worth noting the state is still finalizing the (third quarter) invoices, which it anticipates to send in the near future,” Department of Administration spokesman Cullen Werwie said.

Walker’s gubernatorial campaign, his presidential campaign and Our American Revival, a political group he set up as he considered running for president, are making the reimbursements.

When he abruptly quit the race, Walker’s presidential campaign left his candidate committee with a debt of more than $1 million as of October. But Walker has said that he will repay the campaign’s obligations to taxpayers and private vendors.

Democrats contend Walker’s campaign should pay more of the bill and cover the expenses more quickly.

Information from: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel