MADISON, Wis. — On Oct 29th, the Heartland Signal published an in-depth report on a recent claim from Tony Wied that he “never really asked anyone for help,” despite receiving a $342,000 Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan in 2020 that was completely forgiven. Unlike Wisconsin small business owners who relied on pandemic relief funding to survive the pandemic, Tony Wied inherited an oil company from his family and holds millions of dollars in assets. Tony Wied can’t relate to the struggles of everyday Wisconsinites—and he won’t fight for us in Congress. 

Heartland Signal: Wisconsin GOP Congressional Candidate Who ‘Never Really Asked Anyone For Help’ Had $342,000 PPP Loan Forgiven
By: Richard Eberwein

Wisconsin Republican congressional candidate Tony Wied claimed that fundraising is difficult for him because he has “never really asked anyone for help,” despite having a $342,000 Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan forgiven in 2020.

Wied was asked about his fundraising in a radio interview with Green Bay’s WGBW on Oct. 20, to which he said it is difficult because he has never asked anyone for help.

“Well, that is a big component in order to win an election, especially if you’re coming into an election as an outsider,” Wied said. “But you know, nowadays it’s all about getting on TV. It’s all about getting to people and getting your message across. Fundraising has gone well. I’m new to it, so it’s very difficult for me. I’ve never really asked anyone for help.”

According to ProPublica, Wied Oil Company received a $342,000 Paycheck Protection Program loan that was entirely forgiven as of Jan. 28, 2021. Weid was the owner at the time.

Wied’s campaign did not immediately respond to a request to comment about how his words add up to the loan forgiveness he received.

Wied later sold the business to a Denver-based company in 2022. Wied inherited the company from his father and uncle, who founded it in 1992. According to his financial disclosure report from July, Wied owns 90 assets worth between $5.8 million and $13.4 million total.

Wied is the Trump-backed Republican nominee running for Wisconsin’s 8th Congressional District seat against Democratic opponent Dr. Kristin Lyerly. The seat is currently vacant after former Rep. Mike Gallagher (R) resigned in April.