Photo: PBS Wisconsin
Pete Karas
Wisconsin Green PartyRetired music venue owner
ⓘ What do the party and ideology labels mean?
On the ballot, partisan candidates run under a party — in Wisconsin almost always Democratic or Republican, with the occasional third-party or independent candidate. Words like progressive, conservative, libertarian, or democratic socialist are labels people use to describe themselves, not separate parties on the ballot. A label is a starting point; each candidate's sourced positions show where they actually stand.
How we do this →What is Pete Karas running for?
Pete Karas is on the ballot for Secretary of State of Wisconsin in the August 11, 2026 Wisconsin partisan primary. 5 other candidates are on the ballot.
Also on this ballot
- JoCasta Zamarripa (Democratic)
- Brayden Myer (Republican)
- Nathan Pollnow (Republican)
- Jay Schroeder (Republican)
- Cindy Werner (Republican)
Who is Pete Karas?
Former Racine city council member; retired music venue owner; running to break the two-party lock
Where does Pete Karas stand on the issues?
ⓘ What do these stance labels mean?
Each label describes how a candidate has spoken about an issue, drawn from a sourced statement — not our opinion. Support and oppose mean they've clearly taken that side. Mixed means their statements point both ways. Evolving means their stated position has changed over time. Unclear means we couldn't find a clear public statement. Every label links to the source it came from.
How we do this →ⓘ Sourced position vs. campaign claim — what's the difference?
A sourced position is something we tied to a specific public statement, with a link. A campaign claim is what a candidate's own site says about their priorities. We keep them separate so you can see the difference between a documented stance and a self-description.
How we do this →Karas advocates for ranked choice voting in Wisconsin and characterizes the two-party system as a failure.
Position sources (1)
- campaignWisconsin Public Radio
ⓘ How do I read these campaign-finance numbers?
Individual contributions come from people; PAC (political action committee) money comes from organized groups. Cash-on-hand is what a campaign has left to spend. Money shows who is backing a campaign — it is not an endorsement by us, and more money does not mean a candidate is better.
How we do this →Top reported contributors
- Peter Karas (Muskego)$13,000
- Halley Karas (Lathrup Village)$5,250
- Jane Karas (Racine)$4,000
- Wisconsin Green Party (Madison)$1,000
- John Ballantyne (Lake in the hills)$1,000
Show 5 more
- GPUS (Washington)$1,000
- George Eugene Gengler (Milwaukee)$500
- Alaa Musa (Milwaukee)$500
- Robert Stockinger (Hales Corners)$371
- Kathleen Chung (Madison)$200
Source: WI Ethics Commission (Sunshine) · non-commercial voter education use
Top organization & PAC donors
- Wisconsin Green Party (Madison)PAC/Committee$1,000
- GPUS (Washington)$1,000
Source: WI Ethics Commission (Sunshine) · non-commercial voter education use
Where the money comes from
| Individuals | 94% | $28,644 | 64 donors |
|---|---|---|---|
| PACs & committees | 3% | $1,000 | 1 donors |
| Businesses | 3% | $1,000 | 1 donors |
| Other | 0% | $20 | 1 donors |
13% from donations under $200 (55 donors)
- under $200$3,623 · 55 donors
- $200–$999$1,771 · 5 donors
- $1,000 and up$23,250 · 4 donors
Individual donors only, grouped by each donor's total
73% from Wisconsin
- Wisconsin$21,542 · 50 donors
- Out of state$8,102 · 15 donors
- Unknown$0 · 0 donors
Individuals and businesses; committees excluded
Monthly fundraising
| 2026-01 | $4,105 |
|---|---|
| 2026-02 | $4,421 |
| 2026-03 | $2,531 |
| 2026-04 | $1,070 |
| 2026-05 | $1,060 |
| 2026-06 | $14,816 |
| 2026-07 | $2,661 |
Itemized contributions, filings through Aug 3, 2026 · Source: WI Ethics Commission (Sunshine)
Political ads about Pete Karas
Ads a BadgerBrief editor confirmed are about Pete Karas, from the Meta Ad Library. Spend is the range Meta discloses.
- Support$200–$299
Pete Karas for Wisconsin Secretary of State
Three things Pete Karas stands for: more choices, real transparency, and accountability.
View ad on Meta ↗ - Support$200–$299
Pete Karas for Wisconsin Secretary of State
More choices on the ballot starts with signatures. Pete Karas needs between 2,000 - 4,000 signatures to officially qualify for the Wisconsin ballot as a third party candidate. Want to help make it happen? Download the nomination papers at the link in bio. #petekarasforsos #wisconsin #gobrewers #BreakTheDuopoly #IndependentCandidate
View ad on Meta ↗ - Support$100–$199
Pete Karas for Wisconsin Secretary of State
The Wisconsin Secretary of State is mostly administrative. So why is Pete running? To kick the door open.
View ad on Meta ↗ - Support$100–$199
Pete Karas for Wisconsin Secretary of State
Both parties are very effective. Just not for you. Pete Karas is running to change that.
View ad on Meta ↗ - Support$100–$199
Pete Karas for Wisconsin Secretary of State
Democrats had their chance. Republicans had their chance. All they did was make billionaires happy.
View ad on Meta ↗ - Support$100–$199
Pete Karas for Wisconsin Secretary of State
Lifelong Wisconsinite. Small business owner. City council member. Pete Karas is running for Secretary of State.
View ad on Meta ↗ - Support$100–$199
Pete Karas for Wisconsin Secretary of State
Line 5 could destroy the Great Lakes. No Democrat or Republican will stop it. Pete Karas will.
View ad on Meta ↗ - Support$100–$199
Pete Karas for Wisconsin Secretary of State
Republicans and Democrats just gave data centers your tax dollars. Pete Karas is running to change that.
View ad on Meta ↗ - Support$0–$99
Pete Karas for Wisconsin Secretary of State
Wisconsin's public records go back to 1848. Most of them are buried. Pete Karas is going to fix that.
View ad on Meta ↗ - Support$0–$99
Pete Karas for Wisconsin Secretary of State
Wisconsin's public records go back to 1848. Most of them are buried. Pete Karas is going to fix that.
View ad on Meta ↗ - Support$0–$99
Pete Karas for Wisconsin Secretary of State
More voices. More choices. Apparently that's a problem for the two corporate parties.
View ad on Meta ↗ - Support$0–$99
Pete Karas for Wisconsin Secretary of State
From beautiful River Falls! Collecting nomination paper signatures! #petekarasforsos #wisconsin #gobrewers
View ad on Meta ↗ - Support$0–$99
Pete Karas for Wisconsin Secretary of State
What’s your take? #WisconsinPolitics #PeteKaras
View ad on Meta ↗ - Support$0–$99
Pete Karas for Wisconsin Secretary of State
What’s your take? #WisconsinPolitics #PeteKaras
View ad on Meta ↗
In the news about Pete Karas
Coverage a BadgerBrief editor reviewed and confirmed belongs here. We link out — we don’t summarize. How we handle coverage ↗
- Milwaukee Alderperson Running For Secretary of State ↗2025-09-04Urban Milwaukee · news outlet · The funding model for Urban Milwaukee includes both advertising and a small retail outlet that sells Milwaukee-themed souvenirs and gifts.Urban Milwaukee was founded by Jeramey Jannene and Dave Reid, with Jeramey Jannene currently serving as president. Bruce Murphy joined as the editor in 2012. source ↗
- Democrats ask Wisconsin Supreme Court to boot Green Party from ... ↗2024-08-20Wisconsin Public Radio · news outlet · The outlet is funded through a combination of state appropriations, listener donations, and grants.Wisconsin Public Radio is owned by the Wisconsin Educational Communications Board and the University of Wisconsin System, Board of Regents. source ↗
Sources
- referenceBallotpedia
- reportedWUWM Voter Guide
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