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
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February 14 – WI Crawford 1849 15
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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