OSHKOSH, Wis. (WTAQ) - If you don’t know who Ron Johnson is, you’re not watching TV.

The Oshkosh Republican has spent $4 million on TV ads in Wisconsin for his U.S. Senate candidacy – while Democratic incumbent Russ Feingold has spent $1.4 million so far.

The figures come from the Virginia tracking firm of CMAG, and they include TV ads in the state’s 5 largest markets. UW Madison political scientist Ken Goldstein says Johnson has spent a large amount on TV at this point in the campaign.

It has helped him run about even with Feingold in various polls. And Goldstein says it has also allowed him to get away with mis-steps reported in the news, and fight off attacks by Democrats who call him extreme and not ready for national office.

Johnson owns an Oshkosh plastics packaging firm, and he says he’s prepared to spend millions of his own money to try and defeat Feingold. But first, he must defeat two other GOP challengers in a primary that’s 12 days away.

Johnson spokeswoman Sara Sendek said the candidate will spend what it takes to get his message out. But Feingold spokesman John Kraus says voters are starting to see that, “the Ron Johnson in his TV ads isn’t the real Ron Johnson.”