Wisconsin’s partisan and costly 2008 Supreme Court campaign between Judge Mike Gableman and incumbent Justice Louis Butler was dominated by special interest groups who funded almost nine out of every ten dollars spent on television advertising (89 percent).
Many of the ads have been criticized as misleading and unseemly. In an ad that began airing on March 14th, Judge Gableman attacked Justice Louis Butler for his work on a criminal case without actually noting that Butler was serving as publicly-appointed defense counsel in the matter and representing a client. The Wisconsin Judicial Campaign Integrity Committee (WJCIC) slammed Gableman’s ad, describing it as marked by an “offensive, race-baiting style reminiscent of the Willie Horton spot from the 1988 presidential race.”
Meanwhile, an ad sponsored by the Greater Wisconsin Committee criticizes Gableman’s handling of a number of child sexual assault cases. The WJCIC called the ad “completely useless,” saying that the claims made “were not substantiated or put into meaningful context.”
Judge Mike Gableman won the race, unseating Justice Butler, and will now serve a 10-year term on the bench.
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Feb. 20, 2008 – Meet Mike Gableman
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This ad by the Greater Wisconsin Committee criticizes Gableman’s ethical standards.
Feb. 21, 2008 – Criminals Threaten
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In this ad, the Wisconsin Club for Growth endorses Judge Gableman.
Mar. 1, 2008 – Remember Mike Gableman
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In this ad, the Greater Wisconsin Committee says Gableman’s court ranks near the bottom.
Mar. 4, 2008 – Butler, It’s an Honor
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Friends of Justice Louis Butler endorse him for the Supreme Court, in this ad.
Mar. 5, 2008 – Butler, Murdered Wife
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In this ad, the Coalition for American Families says Justice Butler “sides with criminals 60 percent of the time.”
Mar. 5, 2008 – Butler, Ralph Armstrong
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The Coalition for America’s Families says Justice Butler overturned the conviction of a rapist, in this ad.
Mar. 8, 2008 – Butler, Ralph Armstrong 2
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In this ad, the Coalition for America’s Families asks viewers to “tell Louis Butler victims, not criminals, deserve justice.”
Mar.10, 2008 – Butler, Ralph Armstrong 3
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This ad by the Coalition for America’s Families says, “Butler sides with criminals nearly 60 percent of the time.”
Mar. 10, 2008 – Gableman, Thank Judges
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This WMC Issues Mobilization Council ad says Mike Gabelman is an ally in the war on crime.
Mar. 10, 2008 – Gableman, Thank Judges 2
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This ad by the WMC Issues Mobilization Council says, “District attorneys say that Judge Gableman applies the law and doesn’t look for loopholes.”
Mar. 12, 2008 – Butler Battleground
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In this ad, Justice Butler says, “I work for you on the Wisconsin Supreme Court.”
Mar. 12, 2008 – It’s Mike Gableman
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This Greater Wisconsin Committee ad criticizes Judge Gableman for being a “politician turned judge.”
Mar. 14, 2008 – Gableman Shadowy Special Interests
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This ad compares Judge Gableman to Justice Butler, saying Gableman locks up criminals, and Butler keeps them on the street.
Mar. 18, 2008 – Butler Common Sense
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This WMC Issues Mobilization Council ad says Justice Butler almost jeopardized the prosecution of a violent criminal because of a technicality.
Mar. 19, 2008 – Butler Who Can
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This Greater Wisconsin Committee ad says, “More than 18,000 Wisconsin law enforcement officers stand behind Justice Louis Butler.”
Mar. 20, 2008 – Butler Shame
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Friends of Justice Louis Butler paid for this ad, saying, “Gableman is running a sleazy campaign that seeks to mislead.”
Mar. 20, 2008 – Gableman Slimy Attacks
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This ad compares Judge Gableman and Justice Butler, saying Gableman is law enforcement’s choice for Supreme Court.
Mar. 22, 2008 – Gableman Too Far
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In this ad, the Greater Wisconsin Committee criticizes Gableman’s negative campaign advertisements.
Mar. 25, 2008 – Gableman Imagine
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The Wisconsin Education Association Council criticizes Judge Gableman in this ad, saying he protects criminals, not families.
Mar. 25, 2008 – Loophole Louie
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This WMC Issues Mobilization Council ad says, “Call Justice Louis Butler, ask him to deliver justice, not loopholes.”
Mar. 26, 2008 – Better Choice
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In this ad, the Greater Wisconsin Committee says Judge Gableman is a politician and big campaign contributor.
Mar. 27, 2008 – Khol for Butler
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Senator Herb Kohl endorses Justice Butler, in this ad.