Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge Janet Protasiewicz, who was largely supported by leftists, emerged victorious in the election for a Wisconsin Supreme Court seat on Tuesday.
Associated Press reported that the Democrat Party of Wisconsin spent over $8 million to put her over the top. The race proved very consequential for both sides — Protasiewicz’s win means that leftists will take control of the court’s majority for the first time in 15 years.
Protasiewicz received huge support from the pro-abortion crowd. Planned Parenthood Advocates of Wisconsin openly endorsed her campaign for the seat, praising her as an advocate of so-called “reproductive freedom.” Such a term seems a bit convoluted when one considers that abortion is quite literally the opposite of reproduction.
Also backing Protasiewicz were failed former presidential candidate Hillary Clinton as well as former U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder.
Next month, the Wisconsin Supreme Court election will determine the future of reproductive rights for millions. @JanetForJustice is the progressive candidate who believes women should be able to make their own health care decisions. Help elect her: https://t.co/mmwPaevWVD
— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) March 14, 2023
During her victory speech, Protasiewicz asserted that she ran because there was a need for “fairness” and “common sense” in the Wisconsin Supreme Court. She additionally suggested she will now be a part of an “impartial court” that makes ruling based on laws rather than political agendas.
NBC News reported that these election results mean that the Wisconsin Supreme Court is now controlled by liberals.
“It was really about saving our democracy, getting away from extremism, and having a fair and impartial court where everybody gets a fair shot in the courtroom,” Protasiewicz proclaimed following her victory, per AP. “That’s what it was all about.”
Former Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Dan Kelly, who lost to Protasiewicz, pulled no punches during his concession speech. The former justice, who was previously selected to serve on the state Supreme Court by then-Gov. Scott Walker (R) in 2016, said Protasiewicz’s bid for the position amounted to the “most deeply, deceitful, dishonorable, despicable campaign” he has “ever seen run for the courts.”
He added that her strategy “was truly beneath contempt,” before calling Protasiewicz a “serial liar” who “disregarded judicial ethics” and “demeaned the judiciary with her behavior.”
The Associated Press reported that this race’s outcome will likely bring political implications for abortion, the future of Republican-drawn legislative maps, and disputes over “voting rights,” which in most cases means whether or not an election will require a government ID for participation.
