7 Investigates: Despite billing, its typically taxpayers footing the bill for local first responder services at campaign events [Video]

WAUSAU, Wis. (WSAW) – Wisconsin is a battleground state in the presidential race, meaning nearly every day there is either a candidate or someone from their team stumping somewhere in Wisconsin. That includes central Wisconsin.

Any event requires a lot of planning, but especially events that include individuals who are under the U.S. Secret Service’s protection, such as presidential and vice presidential candidates. It requires coordination with local venues and government agencies to ensure the campaigns and the event attendees can have a safe experience.

“Typically you get about a week’s worth of notice. It can be a little bit shorter than that,” Marathon County Sheriff Chad Billeb said.

“It is an all-hands-on-deck and really requires every agency,” Wausau Police Chief Matt Barnes stated. “We have an obligation to staff them and make sure they’re safe, not only for those candidates but for everybody that (sic) is attending.”

Those services, …