Wisconsin’s Supreme Court race on April 4 will determine whether forced-birth authoritarians control Wisconsin’s most powerful judicial body or whether reproductive freedom gets a fair day in court.
Read on to understand why. Then chip in.
April 4 will determine the balance of power on Wisconsin’s Supreme Court. The GOP-backed candidate is Dan Kelly, an anti-abortion extremist (more on him below). The progressive is Janet Protasiewicz, who says “I believe in a woman's freedom to make her own decision on abortion.”
In Wisconsin, a near-total abortion ban could soon lead to prosecutions. This law was first passed in 1849, but Governor Evers and Attorney General Kaul filed a lawsuit challenging the 1849 law, arguing that it conflicts with other laws passed in the years since.
The Supreme Court election on April 4 will determine whether anti-abortion extremists hold the majority on the court—or if the majority flips—the court is prepared to give a fair hearing to the legal challenge of Wisconsin’s abortion ban.
Janet Protasiewicz doesn’t prejudge cases. She wouldn’t twist the law to suit an extreme-right agenda like her opponent has his entire career.
Now let’s look at Dan Kelly. He’s been endorsed by:
- Wisconsin Right to Life, which supports the 1849 abortion ban
- Pro-Life Wisconsin, which not only supports the ban—it wants to ban contraception
- Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America, which is spending big to elect him
It’s not just that these groups endorsed him. It’s not just that, as Wisconsin Right to Life said in their announcement, they only endorse candidates “who have pledged to champion pro-life values and stand with Wisconsin Right to Life’s legislative strategy.” It’s more than that.
Dan Kelly’s not just backed by radical anti-abortion groups—he provided “counsel to Wisconsin Right to Life in legal manners,” according to the group’s own executive director. Who thinks this guy would be impartial? Anyone?
Dan Kelly is a pure product of the right-wing judicial activist machine. It’s not just abortion. He worked for the GOP on their fake elector scheme and was a paid advisor on “election integrity,” going on tour with extremists pushing the Big Lie.
The public doesn’t get to vote directly on U.S. Supreme Court appointments. But Wisconsinites do get to vote on our state Supreme Court. Dan Kelly absolutely, positively can’t be allowed to return to the bench. Judge Janet’s campaign is making the stakes crystal clear.
In Wisconsin, as in most states, Roe v. Wade was overwhelmingly popular. Roughly two-thirds of Wisconsinites supported it, and roughly two-thirds opposed overturning it. But unlike other states, Wisconsin doesn’t have a ballot referendum system.
In Kansas, when abortion went to a statewide referendum, the public voted for freedom.
In Michigan, when abortion went to a statewide referendum, the public voted for freedom.
In April 4’s Supreme Court race, our freedom is on the ballot.
If we want to win this thing, we’re going to need to make sure every Wisconsinite understands the stakes as they walk into the voting booth. And that’s going to take resources. Can you chip in to help?
Every ad Janet’s campaign runs, every call a volunteer makes, can turn out another voter for reproductive freedom. Can you sign up to help volunteer? No matter where you are, you can make a difference.
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