A heated battle between two Wisconsin Supreme Court candidates intensifies as an election integrity organization challenges Democrat-backed candidate Susan Crawford's campaign statements.
According to Just the News, Fair Elections Wisconsin (FEW) sent a cease-and-desist letter to Crawford, alleging multiple violations of the state's judicial code of conduct through false statements about her Republican-backed opponent Brad Schimel.
The organization's president, Justin Gavery, dispatched the letter on March 7, expressing concern over Crawford's continued dissemination of allegedly false information. Despite the formal request, Crawford has not responded to the organization's demands to stop making what they claim are misleading statements about Schimel's record.
The race has already broken spending records, with total expenditures approaching $81.5 million and predictions suggesting it could reach $100 million by Election Day. This surpasses the previous record set in 2023, which saw approximately $51 million in campaign spending.
Both candidates have secured substantial financial backing from prominent figures and organizations. Schimel has raised over $12 million, including $6 million from the Wisconsin Republican Party, while Crawford's campaign has accumulated more than $25 million, with $5.5 million coming from the Wisconsin Democratic Party.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk has emerged as a significant supporter of Schimel's campaign, with Musk-funded groups contributing more than $17 million. On the opposing side, progressive billionaire George Soros and Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker have thrown their support behind Crawford.
FEW President Gavery outlined specific concerns about Crawford's campaign statements. According to the letter, Crawford falsely accused Schimel of ignoring rape cases and mishandling rape kit testing during his tenure as Attorney General.
Wisconsin election law attorney Dan Eastman stressed the importance of judicial integrity. He stated:
The judiciary is supposed to apply the law and make sure it's being appropriately administered. Judges should be above reproach and inspire confidence, not disillusionment. Someone like Crawford should not be campaigning on false facts when they are running to be a supreme court justice, and that's what's happening here.
The organization's cease-and-desist letter emphasized the significance of maintaining judicial integrity:
Judicial candidates, including incumbents and challengers, must refrain from making false, misleading, or deceptive statements.
Early voting turnout has surged significantly compared to the previous year's Supreme Court election. More than 345,000 voters have already cast their ballots either by mail or in person, representing a 48% increase from the same period in 2023.
The election's outcome could significantly impact the court's ideological balance. Currently, liberal justices hold a 4-3 majority, following Janet Protasiewicz's victory in April 2023, which ended 15 years of conservative control.
Recent polling conducted by Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce shows the candidates deadlocked at 47% each, with 5% of likely voters still undecided. The survey, conducted March 9-10, included 600 likely Wisconsin spring election voters.
The battle between Dane County Circuit Court Judge Susan Crawford and Waukesha County Circuit Court Judge Brad Schimel has become one of the most closely watched judicial races in the country. Fair Elections Wisconsin's intervention highlights the growing concerns about campaign conduct and its impact on judicial integrity. With Election Day set for April 1 and early voting continuing until Sunday, both candidates face intense scrutiny as they compete for the seat being vacated by retiring liberal Justice Ann Walsh Bradley.
