Foxconn Lead Developer Is A Company With Close Ties To Walker

Foxconn Technology Group has selected a company led by a Republican-mega donor with close ties to Gov. Scott Walker to develop the master plan for its massive campus in southeast Wisconsin.

Foxconn announced Monday that it chose Hammes Company to be the lead developer on the project that will house a display-screen factory on a campus spread over 2,900 acres. Hammes is led by Jon Hammes, who serves as Walker’s campaign finance chairman for his re-election bid. He also served in that role during Walker’s run for president in 2015.

Hammes is also part-owner of the Milwaukee Bucks and has given hundreds of thousands of dollars to Republicans and causes over the years. He’s been a donor to Walker since he was Milwaukee County executive.

Walker told reporters in Milwaukee Monday that Hammes’ firm has a lot of experience in big projects, and that it was Foxconn’s decision to issue the contract.

“I mean it’s pretty straightforward. Their company does this all over the country, and it only makes sense they’d be one of the people they’d consider,” Walker said. “But we don’t have any role in that one way, or the other.”

But Democratic Party of Wisconsin spokesperson Melanie Conklin says the Hammes contract doesn’t pass the smell test.

“It’s just another sign of corruption in the Walker Administration,” Conklin said. “To be giving major contracts on something you did for your re-election, to one of your largest donors and the person who chairs your campaign finance committee, that doesn’t fit with Wisconsin values.”

Conklin added that Hammes should either resign from Walker’s campaign, or give up the Foxconn deal.