The race for Wisconsin’s Supreme Court justice seat between liberal judge Susan Crawford and conservative judge Brad Schimel is heating up ahead of the April 1 election. The debate between the candidates focused on reproductive rights and the influence of billionaires and outside groups in what is technically a nonpartisan race. The outcome of the election will determine the court’s ideological balance and could impact issues such as abortion rights, unions, and congressional maps.
Both candidates criticized each other’s billionaire backers during the debate, with Crawford calling out Schimel for support from groups associated with Elon Musk, while Schimel attacked Crawford for receiving donations from liberal billionaire George Soros. The candidates were also questioned about potential recusals in cases involving their donors.
Reproductive rights, specifically the state’s 1849 abortion ban, emerged as a major topic of discussion. The state Supreme Court is expected to overturn the law, but there is pending litigation, including a case where Planned Parenthood is seeking to establish a constitutional right to abortion. Both candidates presented their positions on the ban, with Schimel calling it a “validly passed law” and Crawford refraining from taking a position but criticizing the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade.
The race has seen significant spending from both sides, with Musk-backed groups pouring millions of dollars into supporting Schimel. The candidates also debated other issues likely to come before the court, such as Walker-era legislation on collective bargaining and cases challenging the state’s Republican-favored congressional maps.
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