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Buying Time 2025 – Wisconsin

This page features Wisconsin Supreme Court television advertisements from the 2025 election cycle. 

Last Updated: February 14, 2025
Published: January 23, 2025

On April 1, 2025, Wisconsin will hold a nonpartisan election for a 10-year term on the Wisconsin Supreme Court. The candidates are competing to fill the seat of incumbent Justice Ann Walsh Bradley who is retiring. The primary election was canceled given that only two candidates are running. The candidates are Dane County Circuit Court judge Susan Crawford, who has been endorsed by the Wisconsin Democratic Party, and Waukesha County Circuit Court judge Brad Schimel, who previously served as attorney general, a position he ran for as a Republican. 

*Spending figures last updated February 14, 2025

Estimated Total TV Spending: $3,856,810*

Candidates:  

  • Estimated spending by Brad Schimel: $2,069,360
  • Estimated spending by Susan Crawford: $1,787,450

    Source: Vivvix/CMAG

    Advertisements  

    February 14 – WI Crawford 1849 15

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    In this ad, voiceover says: “Brad Schimel wants to take us back to an abortion ban from 1849.”

    Sponsor: Susan Crawford

    Estimated Spending: $720


    February 14 – WI Crawford Hal J

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    In this ad, Hal J says: “I have kids and I can’t believe all a sex predator had to do to get a plea deal was give Brad Schimel’s campaign $5,000.”

    Sponsor: Susan Crawford

    Estimated Spending: $480


    February 14 – WI Crawford Lying to You 15

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    In this ad, a voiceover says: “Brad Schimel is lying to you about abortion. Behind closed doors he says he’ll ban it.”

    Sponsor: Susan Crawford

    Estimated Spending: TBD


    February 14 – WI Crawford Laurel

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    In this ad, a woman says: “The 1849 law that Brad Schimel supports almost killed me.”

    Sponsor: Susan Crawford

    Estimated Spending: TBD


    February 12 – WI Schimel Mackenzie & Haley

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    In this ad, Brad Schimel says: “The people of Wisconsin through referendum or their elected representatives should decide the question of abortion.”

    Sponsor: Brad Schimel

    Estimated Spending: $18,720


    February 12 – WI Schimel Dale Schmidt 15

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    In this ad, a sheriff says: “I was there when Brad Schimel initiated the sexual assault kit initiative, pushing hard to make sure that victims of sexual assault were able to see their offenders convicted.”

    Sponsor: Brad Schimel

    Estimated Spending: $2,560


    February 11 – WI Schimel This Street

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    In this ad, the voiceover says: “The new neighbor is a pedophile who repeatedly raped a little girl released after just two years in prison thanks to Judge Susan Crawford sweetheart sentence”.

    Sponsor: Brad Schimel

    Estimated Spending: $156,730


    February 7 – WI Crawford Untested 15

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    In the ad, the voiceover says: “Take it from a sheriff, Brad Schimel is too extreme for the Supreme Court.”

    Sponsor: Susan Crawford

    Estimated Spending: $82,960


    February 7 – WI Crawford Nine 15

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    In this ad, the voiceover says: “Over two years, Brad Schimel tested only nine rape kits out of 6,000 that needed testing while rapists walked free and victims waited for justice.”

    Sponsor: Susan Crawford

    Estimated Spending: $80,260


    February 6  - WI Crawford A Lie B Roll

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    In this ad, the voiceover says: “That’s Brad Schimel. Too extreme for the Wisconsin Supreme Court.”

    Sponsor: Susan Crawford

    Estimated Spending: $296,820


    February 6 – WI Crawford A Lie

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    In this ad, the voiceover says: “Schimel let domestic abusers walk with no jail time and he’s so corrupt he gave a plea deal to a man caught with thousands of files of child pornography.”

    Sponsor: Susan Crawford

    Estimated Spending: $109,730


    February 4 – WI Schimel Injustice To Us All

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    In this ad, the voiceover says: “Be traumatized by Crawford’s disregard for justice, her criminal coddling record is an injustice to us all.”

    Sponsor: Brad Schimel

    Estimated Spending: $569,700


    January 21 – WI Crawford Common Sense

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    In this ad, Judge Crawford says: “For me, being a judge is really pretty simple. There is right and there’s wrong and I’ll always do the right thing for Wisconsin.”

    Sponsor: Susan Crawford

    Estimated Spending: $391,070


    January 21 – WI Crawford Common Sense B Roll

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    In this ad, a voiceover says: "On the Supreme Court, she’ll look at the facts and uphold the law – fair, impartial, common sense. 

    Sponsor: Susan Crawford

    Estimated Spending: $294,280


    January 21 – WI Crawford Untested

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    In this ad, a voiceover says: “Brad Schimel – he let 6,000 rape kits sit untested for two years while survivors waited for justice.”

    Sponsor: Susan Crawford

    Estimated Spending: $214,690


    January 21 – WI Crawford 1849 Law

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    In this ad, a voiceover says: “Brad Schimel – he wants to bring back the 1849 law that bans all abortions with no exceptions for rape or incest.”

    Sponsor: Susan Crawford

    Estimated Spending: $316,440


    January 17 – WI Schimel Job Title

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    In this ad, Judge Schimel says: “Your job title shouldn’t define you but in the job I’m running for it should. I’m Brad Schimel and justice is my life’s work.”

    Sponsor: Brad Schimel

    Estimated Spending: $536,640


    January 14 – WI Schimel Justice for Victims

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    In this ad, Judge Schimel says: “Law school taught me the rights of the accused but justice for the abused is denied all too often.”

    Sponsor: Brad Schimel

    Estimated Spending: $785,010