Progressive Judge Janet Protasiewicz prevailed in the race for a seat in the Wisconsin Supreme Court. This result changes the court's dynamics, which up until now has had a conservative majority. In the coming years, the court will face sensitive issues such as abortion with a greater presence of Democratic-oriented justices.
The moment Janet Protasiewicz walked in to declare victory — trailed by the rest of the new Wisconsin Supreme Court majority pic.twitter.com/oyAvBo4sNT
— Ben Wikler (@benwikler) April 5, 2023
According to AP, with 62% of the votes counted, Protasiewicz (56.4%) is projected to win against conservative Daniel Kelly (43.6%) in the race to replace Patience Roggensack who is retiring from the bench.
Wisconsin debates abortion, trans children and election rules
Protesiewicz's victory not only gives progressives an advantage in the trial of state abortion laws but also in trials related to gender ideology, education and sex change processes of minors. Also, in the next few years, the Supreme Court will have to decide on Wisconsin's gerrymandered legislative districts and voting rules for the 2024 presidential election.
Protasiewicz is in the Republican spotlight and is accused of being "a judge soft on crime in cases that are shocking to the conscience." In statements to Just the News, the chairman of the state Republican Party, Brian Schimming, said that Protesiewicz "was a soft-on-crime assistant district attorney (...) under sitting Milwaukee County District Attorney John Chisholm, the one who allowed, essentially, the Waukesha parade killer to go out and be on the streets."
Record spending on a judicial campaign
Even though the election was technically non-partisan, state Democrats poured $9 million into Protasiewicz's campaign. Conservatives contributed $500,000 to Kelly's campaign, aside from the $6 million shelled out by GOP megadonor Richard Uihlein. With more than $40 million spent between the two parties, it was the most expensive campaign for a judicial seat in history.
Meet Janet.
She’s a Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice-elect. pic.twitter.com/HDDxtALDvu
— Wisconsin Democrats (@WisDems) April 5, 2023
