Democratic State Supreme Court Candidate Raises More Money Than Republican Candidate

Thursday, March 30th, 2023 -- 9:01 AM

(AP) The Democratic-funded candidate in Wisconsin’s pivotal state Supreme Court contest has raised more than five times as much money as her Republican-backed opponent ahead of the April 4 election.

Liberal Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Janet Protasiewicz raised nearly $12.4 million in the final campaign finance reporting period between Feb. 7 and March 20, reports filed late Monday show. Her conservative opponent, former Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Dan Kelly, raised $2.2 million during the same period.

The winner of the country’s most expensive state Supreme Court race to date will determine majority control of Wisconsin’s high court with issues such as abortion access, legislative redistricting, union rights and election laws at stake. The race has garnered national attention, given Wisconsin’s importance as a presidential swing state.

The state Supreme Court came within a vote of overturning President Joe Biden’s victory in 2020. Conservatives have controlled the court for 15 years, but the winner will determine majority control for at least the next two years, including before and immediately after the 2024 presidential race.

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