Democrats Pay for Fake Support Online in WI
October 8, 2022

Tamira Musgrave

Journalist

KEY POINTS

  • A business called People First (formerly Main Street One) was hired by Tony Evers for Governor, which is Tony Evers’ campaign, to go out and find online content creators to create paid support about him online.
  • So far, they have paid PeopleFirst $52K to find participants to post positive messages about Tony Evers for Governor. 
  • The individual who reached out to us started their email with, “We are currently offering $2,000+ for a single social media post by qualified creators.” 
  • Wisconsinites are becoming more adamant about taking the state in a different direction as the November election approaches, with 56% of WI voters saying the badger state is headed down the wrong track

A business called People First (formerly Main Street One) was hired by Tony Evers for Governor, which is Tony Evers’ campaign, to go out and find online content creators to create paid support about him online. So far, they have paid PeopleFirst $52K to find participants to post positive messages about Tony Evers for Governor. 

People First: Talent-Scouting for Online Content Creators

With plenty of people questioning Tony Evers’ suitability as Governor right now, it’s not necessarily surprising to find this email from a business on Tony Evers campaign’s behalf. 

The email above, plus several follow-ups, shared a  unique opportunity. The email was titled “Stand Up for Wisconsin x People First: Paid Partnership opportunity.”

PeopleFirst is recruiting “creators based in Wisconsin who would like to make a difference in an important election. Gov. Evers has shown a steadfast commitment to protecting women’s rights and promoting Wisconsin values.” 

The CEO of People First, Curtis Hougland, has a detailed explanation of the company on his LinkedIn profile. Here’s some info pulled from his profile:

“People First pioneered ‘micro influencer’ campaigns in politics for Planned Parenthood, Black Lives Matter PAC, Latino Victory Fund, Ad Council, AFSCME as well as the DGA, DLCC, DSCC, and DAGA.” 

It continues, “He launched People First, originally Main Street One, after working at the front lines of mitigating Russian, ISIL, Alt-Right, and Anti-Vaxx propaganda. In addition to his brand and social work, he spends much of his time right now persuading Americans to take the COVID-19 vaccine.”

How People First Works

The process includes browsing through their list of campaigns and finding one you are willing to advertise openly on your social media page. Then, you must collaborate on your content with a People First representative

This collaboration step is their opportunity to tweak your idea and give it the works. Flip it upside down, bend a few truths, and top it with some exaggerations; then, once they approve the post and deem it honorable enough for the Governor, you’ll be able to share it online and ultimately get paid for your participation. 

Their website does state that it doesn’t matter how many followers you have; you can still participate. However, you will probably earn much less than someone with a more substantial online presence. “Qualified creators” will make the big bucks, i.e., $2,000 for one social post. 

Is the Evers Campaign Buying Online Supporters?

The individual who reached out to us started their email with, “We are currently offering $2,000+ for a single social media post by qualified creators.” 

Why would the Evers campaign need to pay for fake support? It seems to be a tactic to find ways to create a buzz around Gov. Evers before it’s too late. These social posts can garner some extra attention for Evers as November closes in, as said creators have large audiences of followers. 

The message focused on women’s rights and included “promoting Wisconsin values,” even though Gov. Evers has aligned with a far-left, radical agenda. 

They refer to paying people thousands of dollars for fake support as “political advocacy work.” You don’t have to care about Gov. Evers or his policies; you simply need to have a social media page and be willing to play a game of Simon says. 

Why Do Democrats Need to Buy Fake Support? 

Why do democrats need to pay for fake hype? Let’s reminisce on the last couple of years. Inflation is making it nearly impossible to live a comfortable life, and Gov. Tony Evers doesn’t mind seeing citizens of Wisconsin flounder. Parents are frustrated with being pushed out of the classroom. Residents are angry and concerned that Evers’ Parole Commission is jeopardizing their safety by releasing murderers and rapists into Wisconsin. Small business owners are tired of being left behind without help navigating a treacherous economy. 

Law enforcement struggles to do more with fewer resources, while Evers’ vetoed a bill seven months ago that would have penalized local governments that cut their law enforcement budgets. Yet less than eight months before he stands for re-election, he announces his $50 million in federal funding for fighting crime. The Milwaukee Police Dept. is trying to control crime in Wisconsin’s most dangerous city, but they will only be getting $3 million

Registered voters are worried about crime and inflation. Yet, at the same time, Governor Evers focuses all of his attention on cutting the prison population and dumping them into neighborhoods and communities, vetoing all pro-life bills that come his way, and helping CRT, among other unfit topics, snake their way into public schools. 

Wisconsinites are becoming more adamant about taking the state in a different direction as the November election approaches, with 56% of WI voters saying the badger state is headed down the wrong track

His decisions as Governor have led to repercussions, challenges, and hardships that have touched all walks of life. It would be difficult to garner legitimate hype when you’ve burnt so many bridges. While it’s not shocking to see democrats paying people for fake support, it makes you wonder what other lows they would be willing to sink to. 

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