Public funding puts a new spin on Wisconsin Supreme Court elections

January 15, 2011

Wisconsin: The law regarding Supreme Court elections in Wisconsin has changed, making public funding available to candidates. Previously, all campaigns were financed privately. However, three Supreme Court candidates in the upcoming primary election on February 15, 2011, will receive additional money from the government. The incumbent Justice David T. Prosser as well as candidates Joel Winnig and JoAnne Kloppenburg, all raised enough money privately to qualify for additional public funding. Many view these changes as an effort to make the elections less partisan. Candidate Marla J. Stephens, however, explained, “While I believe in public funding, I believe this law is just a first step. It does nothing to curb the outside spending." Justice Prosser stated, "I firmly believe that the judges should be under examination from time to time, and that they should have to seek the approval and the assessment of the people they represent."

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