The impending Wisconsin Supreme Court election has captured national attention, with pivotal issues such as law enforcement, voter ID laws, and President Trump's recent clemency actions at the forefront. Republican-backed candidate and former state Attorney General Brad Schimel has found himself in the spotlight due to his stance on the controversial pardons issued by former President Donald Trump concerning the January 6 Capitol attack.
While Schimel, a Waukesha County judge, asserts that individuals convicted of assaulting law enforcement should face full sentencing, he also supports a president's constitutional right to pardon. Presidents have the power to pardon, Schimel stated during a press call, referencing historical precedence of presidential pardons, including those by President Biden and Trump. This nuanced position has raised eyebrows, especially within the context of Trump's decision to pardon approximately 1,500 rioters involved in the infamous January 6 incident.
In the race against Democratic-backed Dane County Circuit Judge Susan Crawford, the judicial election outcome could alter the Wisconsin Supreme Court's ideological balance, potentially swaying it from a liberal to a conservative majority. Schimel’s position on Trump's pardons has drawn both endorsement and criticism. While approved by over 70 sheriffs and law enforcement associations across Wisconsin, Schimel's comments have faced backlash from segments within his own party and opposition, most notably from U.S. Rep. Derrick Van Orden, who opposed pardoning those who assaulted officers.
Moreover, Schimel's endorsement by Republican leaders such as U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson indicates the high-stakes nature of this election, which transcends local politics to touch on wider concerns like voting legitimacy. Elon Musk, CEO of SpaceX and Tesla, unexpectedly highlighted the race by referencing a Wisconsin Supreme Court ruling that sanctioned absentee ballot drop boxes, stressing the importance of a Republican vote in maintaining election integrity.
Susan Crawford's campaign has focused on other critical issues, including voter ID laws and the contentious 1849 abortion ban, both of which remain divisive topics among Wisconsin voters. If elected, her role could be crucial in potential legal challenges to these laws. Questions linger over her impartiality regarding legal cases tied to the voter ID law and Act 10, a law affecting collective bargaining rights for state workers, which Crawford previously contested as an attorney.
Though Crawford has made no commitment to recuse herself from such cases, her campaign assures that she will handle each with fairness, stating, Judge Crawford always will look at every case before the Wisconsin Supreme Court, examine the facts and questions presented, and make a determination as to whether it’s appropriate for her to sit on that case, according to campaign spokesperson Derrick Honeyman.
This election marks a critical point for Wisconsin, with ramifications extending beyond state lines. As the nation watches, the candidates’ positions on key issues continue to drive public discourse, reflecting broader national debates over governance, justice, and electoral integrity.