WASHINGTON _ Republican Richard Uihlein and Democrat Tom Steyer have poured tens of millions of dollars into the 2018 campaign. And their political parties are irritated about it.
The two billionaires have backed candidates and causes that Republican and Democratic leaders believe are detrimental to their chances in November. Uihlein, the founder of a Wisconsin-based shipping supplies company, has boosted insurgent conservative candidates over the GOP's choices in several races. Steyer, a San Francisco hedge fund manager, has poured cash into a campaign to impeach President Donald Trump, an effort many Democrats view as counterproductive at best.
"Both parties have never been weaker than they are at this point in time," said Jim Manley, a longtime Democratic operative. "It allows vanity projects to dominate the process. These wealthy donors are taking over functions that have usually been left to the parties in years past."
