MADISON — The two out Democratic candidates seeking to succeed Rep. Francesca Hong in Wisconsin’s 76th Assembly District are highlighting their fundraising strength as the race enters its next phase, with each campaign arguing its financial support reflects a broad base of grassroots enthusiasm.

Dina Nina Martinez-Rutherford announced Thursday that her campaign has raised more than $100,000 since launching last September, while Juliana Bennett reported raising $49,000.

Martinez-Rutherford’s campaign said it has received over 1,800 contributions from more than 1,200 unique donors, without accepting corporate political action committee (PAC) money. Her average donation since January was $47. According to the campaign, supporters include teachers, union nurses, service workers, students, seniors, small business owners and community leaders from Madison and across Wisconsin. Bennett’s campaign received more than 1,200 contributions and said her campaign has the lowest average among candidates in the race.

“This is a campaign for the many,” Martinez-Rutherford said in a statement. “District 76 deserves a legislator who will lower costs, protect our democracy, and fight like hell for working people—not billionaires and big corporations.”

If elected, Martinez-Rutherford would become Wisconsin’s first openly transgender state legislator. Her campaign also noted she has secured endorsements from labor unions, progressive organizations, more than 65 current and former elected officials in Dane County and across Wisconsin, and dozens of community leaders.

Bennett’s campaign, meanwhile, reported raising $49,000 from 1,253 contributions, with an average contribution of $39. If elected, Bennett would become Wisconsin’s first openly queer Black woman to serve in the state legislature.

Both Martinez-Rutherford and Bennett characterized their campaigns as driven by small-dollar supporters rather than major donors.

“Every dollar we’ve raised represents someone who believes Madison deserves a representative who answers to working people, not wealthy insiders,” Bennett said in a statement.

The former Madison alder said her campaign has focused on neighborhood organizing, door-knocking and community listening sessions. Bennett said she is running on a platform that includes lowering rents and property taxes, raising the minimum wage and increasing funding for public schools through higher taxes on millionaires.

A current Madison alder, Martinez-Rutherford is also running a strong grassroots organizing program. Her campaign has knocked on thousands of doors and hosted dozens of neighborhood meet and greets across District 76. She is running on a platform of bold, progressive change including raising wages, lowering property taxes, fully funding public schools, and providing housing and healthcare as a right.

The Assembly District 76 seat represents downtown Madison, the Isthmus, Maple Bluff and portions of the city’s north and east sides. The district has become one of the state’s most closely watched Democratic primaries following Hong’s decision not to seek another term.

Campaign finance reports filed this month provide one of the clearest indicators yet of each campaign’s organizational strength ahead of the Democratic primary, with fundraising expected to remain a key measure of momentum as candidates continue making their case to voters.