Buying Time 2018– Wisconsin
This page features Wisconsin Supreme Court television advertisements from the 2018 election cycle.
Two candidates competed in the 2018 general election for the seat of current Justice Michael Gableman, who chose not to run for reelection, on the Wisconsin Supreme Court. Attorney Tim Burns, Circuit Judge Rebecca Dallet, and Circuit Judge Michael Screnock competed in the nonpartisan primary on February 20th, 2018. Rebecca Dallet and Michael Screnock received the most votes in the primary, and faced off in the general election on April 3rd, 2018, which Rebecca Dallet won.
The Brennan Center used multiple sources for spending information, which showed the following:
Kantar Media/CMAG: Estimated Total TV Spending: $2,415,340 *
- Estimated spending by Tim Burns: $136,800
- Estimated spending by Rebecca Dallet: $431,340
- Estimated spending by Michael Screnock: $227,950
- Estimated spending by WMC Issue Mobilization Committee: $802,010
- Estimated spending by Greater Wisconsin Committee: $827,240
* Spending figures last updated October 11, 2018
FCC Contracts: Recorded TV and Radio Contracts: $2,630,412.03*
- Recorded ad buys for Tim Burns: $130,155
- Recorded ad buys for Rebecca Dallet: $452,944
- Recorded ad buys for Michael Screnock: $293,902.52
- Recorded ad buys for Wisconsin Alliance for Reform: $105,760
- Recorded ad buys for Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce Issue Mobilization: $968,503.51
- Recorded ad buys for Greater Wisconsin Committee: $352,235
- Recorded ad buys for Greater Wisconsin Political Fund: $324,130
- Recorded ad buys for Wisconsin Republican Party: $1,462
- Recorded ad buys for Barron County Republican Party: $1,320
* Recorded ad buys last updated April 11, 2018
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January 24 – Dallet Attacked
Stream Video (QT) | Download Storyboard
In this ad, Dallet promises to “defend our values,” arguing Trump has “attacked our civil rights and our values.”
Sponsor: Rebecca Dallet
Estimated Spending: $211,920
February 7 – Burns Extreme Agenda
Stream Video (QT) | Download Storyboard
This ad says Tim Burns will be “a justice with the courage to take on Scott Walker…and a rigged economy that favors the wealthy and big corporations.”
Sponsor: Tim Burns
Estimated Spending: $136,800
February 12 – WMC Throwing the Book
Stream Video (QT) | Download Storyboard
This ad says that Michael Screnock “has a record of throwing the book at murderers, abusers and predators,” and thanks Screnock for “keeping Wisconsin families safe.”
Sponsor: WMC Issue Mobilization Committee
Estimated Spending: $281,720
March 19 – Never Hold a Seat
Stream Video (QT) | Download Storyboard
This ad says Screnock “let a child predator walk without time,” and that he should “never hold a seat on the Supreme Court.”
Sponsor: Rebecca Dallet
Estimated Spending: $209,420
March 23 – Never Be for Sale
Stream Video (QT) | Download Storyboard
This ad says Screnock “says judges should be able to decide cases involving corporate special interests that spend millions to elect them.”
Sponsor: Greater Wisconsin Committee
Estimated Spending: $422,140
March 23 – Passionate
Stream Video (QT) | Download Storyboard
In this ad, Screnock argues “we need a justice who respects our laws, not one… rewriting them.”
Sponsor: Michael Screnock
Estimated Spending: $227,950
March 23 – 3-Time Felon
Stream Video (QT) | Download Storyboard
This ad argues that in a criminal case, Dallet “could have sentenced [the defendant] to 20 years, but she gave him only two,” and asks voters to tell Dallet “courts should protect our chlidren, not their abusers.”
Sponsor: WMC Issue Mobilization Committee
Estimated Spending: $520,290
March 28 – At It Again
Stream Video (QT) | Download Storyboard
This ad alleges “the corporate special interests are at it again, running negative ads trying to buy a Supreme Court seat for Michael Screnock,” and characterizes Dallet as “one of Wisconsin’s toughest judges.”
Sponsor: Greater Wisconsin Committee
Estimated Spending: $381,870
March 29 – Fair and Impartial
Stream Video (QT) | Download Storyboard
This ad says Screnock “was convicted twice for illegally blocking women from accessing reproductive healthcare,” and asks “with these extreme views, how can he be fair?”
Sponsor: Greater Wisconsin Committee
Estimated Spending: $23,230
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Methodology
All data on ad airings and spending on ads are calculated and prepared by Kantar Media/CMAG, which captures satellite data in the nation’s largest media markets. CMAG’s estimates do not reflect ad agency commissions or the costs of producing advertisements, nor do they reflect the cost of ad buys on local cable channels. Cost estimates are revised by Kantar Media/CMAG when it receives updated data, resulting in some fluctuations in the reported ad spending. Data on spending on ads was also compiled from ad purchase contracts posted by the FCC and from state disclosure databases when available.