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Wis. candidates got $758K from sand, gas industry

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MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- A new report says the sand mining and natural gas industries have given Wisconsin candidates nearly $758,000 since 2007, with contributions spiking last year as sand mining took off in the state.

The Wisconsin Democracy Campaign study found the gas and sand mining industries gave candidates a total of $18,762 in 2007 when only five sand mines were operating in the state.

Last year the industries gave candidates $413,642. About 100 mines and processing plants were running in Wisconsin that year. Demand for silica sand is grown because it's used in hydraulic fracturing, or "fracking," a process that produces oil and gas. Republican Gov. Scott Walker received the most money of any candidate over that six year period, accepting $520,266.