Schimel Launches $1.1 Million Ad Buy in Wisconsin Supreme Court Race

The race for the Wisconsin Supreme Court is heating up with Republican-backed candidate Brad Schimel launching a $1.1 million television ad campaign ahead of the April 1 election. Schimel, a former Republican attorney general, is competing against Democrat Susan Crawford, who has raised $2.8 million compared to Schimel's $2.2 million. The stakes are high, as a victory for Crawford would preserve the current liberal 4-3 majority on the court, while a win for Schimel would shift control back to conservatives. This election is projected to break spending records, potentially exceeding the more than $51 million spent during the contentious 2023 race. Outside group spending is expected to significantly outpace candidate expenditures, highlighting the partisan interests involved despite the officially nonpartisan nature of the elections. Recent Supreme Court rulings have underscored the court's crucial role in state issues, including abortion access and gerrymandering disputes.