Both are designed to be non-partisan. The Republican and Democratic parties have endorsed candidates in both races. I have noted the endorsements but have noted positions on issues that are the basis of my recommendations.
I strongly recommend voting for Susan Crawford for a seat on the Wisconsin Supreme Court. A win here maintains a liberal majority on the court. A loss gives the court a far right, conservative majority.
Circuit Court Judge Susan Crawford is running against former Attorney General Brad Schimel for a four year term.
This is the most important race in the nation because of what it means for a woman’s right to choose and for maintaining fair legislative maps. A loss here will almost certainly mean implementing Wisconsin’s 1849 abortion ban, a return to gerrymandered legislative districts, a green light to book banning, severe restrictions on early voting and a continuation of Act 10, denying workers the right to negotiate wages and working conditions. A win for Crawford on April 1will stop those things from happening in Wisconsin.
I also look at who has endorsed each candidate. Susan Crawford and I both worked for Governor Jim Doyle for eight years, so I have some personal knowledge of her personality and her abilities. Her integrity and desire to base her decisions on facts is unmatched in this race. While it is unusual for sitting judges to get involved in a campaign, five current and past Supreme Court justices have endorsed her. The Wisconsin Education Association Council endorsed her for, “a strong record of protecting fairness and impartiality on the Court”
Schimel has been endorsed by Elon Musk with a donation of $1,000,000. He was appointed to the Waukesha County Circuit Court by former governor Scott Walker. Pro-life Wisconsin has endorsed Schimel because he supports Wisconsin’s 1849 Abortion Ban Law.
Schimel has been endorsed by the Republican Party. Crawford has been endorsed by the Democratic Party.
I recommend voting for Jill Underly in the race for Superintendent of Public Instruction. She is opposed by Milwaukee-based education consultant Brittany Kinser.
PBS Wisconsin’s Steven Potter wrote, “Although the position is described as non-partisan, the job of running the state’s public school system is anything but apolitical. This is largely because of school system funding battles between the governor and the state Legislature, but also due to high-profile contemporary political issues that include transgender student policies, school library book access and bans, police in schools, and other contentious matters.”
My primary reason for supporting Underly is that she opposes vouchers for funding Wisconsin’s Parental Choice Program which diverts millions of dollars from public schools to private schools. Kinser has supported voucher programs. Underly has opposed and Kinser has supported having school libraries ban books because of conservative objections.
Kinser’s brief answers to questions make her appear to be a good candidate, but a more in-depth look at her record and supporters produces a more worrisome candidate. She is a self-proclaimed ‘conservative’.
Kinser has appeared alongside Supreme Court candidate Brad Schimel at campaign events. This fact alone would disqualify Kinser for me because of what Schimel stands for. Her campaign is funded by two far right, conservative billionaire families.
“According to the most recent campaign finance filings, the Wisconsin GOP has contributed $200,000 to Kinser’s campaign. She has also received contributions from Elizabeth and Richard Uihlein, the billionaire owners of the Uline shipping supply company, and Beloit billionaire Diane Hendricks. Kinser has dubbed herself the only “pro-school choice” candidate in the race and has said she would support increased funding to the state’s school voucher programs.” February 19 – Wisconsin Examiner
Underly has been endorsed by the Democratic Party of Wisconsin. Kinser has been endorsed by the Republican Party.
Clark County Chair Emeritus
Bryce Luchterhand
