In the primary election on February 18, 2020, three candidates will compete for the seat of incumbent Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Daniel Kelly, who was appointed to fill a vacancy on the court and is running for his first full term. Dane County Circuit Judge Jill Karofsky and Law Professor Ed Fallone will compete against Kelly in the nonpartisan contest. Kelly and Karofsky received the most votes in the primary and are scheduled to compete in the April 7 general election for a 10-year term on the court.
Kantar Media/CMAG: Estimated Total TV Spending: $3,506,260*
- Estimated spending by Jill Karofsky: $1,119,040
- Estimated spending by Daniel Kelly: $565,050
- Estimated spending by WMC Issues Mobilization Council: $980,290
- Estimated spending by A Better Wisconsin Together Political Fund: $562,210
- Estimated spending by the Republican State Leadership Committee: $279,670
*Spending figures last updated April 7, 2020
Campaign Finance Filings from the Republican State Leadership Committee, Total Spending: $840,445**
- Television Advertising: $824,445.90
**Spending figures from independent expenditure report filed on March 27, 2020 by the Republican State Leadership Committee
Campaign Finance Filings from A Better Wisconsin Together Political Fund, Total Spending: $1,437,655***
- Television Advertising: $400,000
***Spending figures from independent expenditure reports filed on March 27, 2020 and March 30, 2020 by A Better Wisconsin Together Political Fund
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January 30 – WI Kelly Great Judge
This ad features Daniel Kelly’s daughter, Anna describing his qualifications, saying that he is a “great judge.”
Sponsor: Daniel Kelly
Estimated Spending: $255,160
February 4 – WI Karofsky Hard to Tell the Difference
In this ad, Jill Karofsky says that if elected, she will “make decisions based on the law, and its impact on real people, not corporate donors.”
Sponsor: Jill Karofsky
Estimated Spending: $69,270
March 12 – WI Karofsky Arena
This ad says Jill Karofsky is “running for the Supreme Court to stop corruption and the influence of big money special interests.”
Sponsor: Jill Karofsky
Estimated Spending: $194,440
March 16 – WI Kelly What Can I Get Ya
This ad features a few patrons at a restaurant who says that they want Justice Dan Kelly on the Wisconsin Supreme Court because “Kelly follows the law instead of making it up.”
Sponsor: Daniel Kelly
Estimated Spending: $200,400
March 17 – WI Karofsky Hard to Tell the Difference Mother of Two
In this ad, Jill Karofsky says that if elected, she will “make decisions based on the law, and its impact on real people, not corporate donors.”
Sponsor: Jill Karofsky
Estimated Spending: $270,210
March 17 – WI WMCIMC Inexcusable
This says that Jill Karofsky offers “plea bargains and those who commit vicious assaults against children and women. Her judgement is inexcusable.”
Sponsor: WMC Issues Mobilization Council
Estimated Spending: $404,570
March 25 – WI Karofsky We Can’t Trust Dan
This ad says that “on the Supreme Court, Dan Kelly rejected stronger anti-corruption rules, and then ruled repeatedly in favor of his own wealthy campaign donors.”
Sponsor: Jill Karofsky
Estimated Spending: $328,970
March 26 – WI Karofsky Who is
This ad features a clip of Donald Trump endorsing Daniel Kelly and says that “on the Supreme Court, Dan Kelly rejected stronger anti-corruption rules, and then ruled repeatedly in favor of his own wealthy campaign donors.”
Sponsor: Jill Karofsky
Estimated Spending: $93,390
March 27 – WI A Better WI How Bad
This ad says “how bad that Daniel Kelly’s record on fighting corruption? Real bad.” It goes on to say “we need an independent Supreme Court Justice. That’s Judge Karofsky.”
Sponsor: A Better Wisconsin Together Political Fund
Estimated Spending: $413,110
March 27 – WI A Better WI Stood Up 15
This ad says that as “a former prosecutor, Judge Karofsky stood up for victims of sexual assault and domestic violence.”
Sponsor: A Better Wisconsin Together Political Fund
Estimated Spending: $85,950
March 29 – WI Karofsky Sheriff Dave
This ad features Sheriff Dave Mahoney who says “that [Jill Karofsky] is being falsely attacked because she has the guts to stand up to special interests who don’t want her on the Supreme Court.”
Sponsor: Jill Karofsky
Estimated Spending: $162,760
March 29 – WI RSLC Soft on Crime
This ad says that “Karofsky is dangerously soft on crime” and that “the safer choice [is] Daniel Kelly].”
Sponsor: Republican State Leadership Committee
Estimated Spending: $72,470
March 31 – WI Kelly Keeping Wisconsin Safe 15
This ad says that Daniel Kelly “will always protect victims by upholding the law.”
Sponsor: Daniel Kelly
Estimated Spending: $109,490
March 31 – WI WMCIMC Risk Our Safety
This ad says that “after a serial abuser and child predator shot a woman, [Jill] Karofsky went easy on him… tell Judge Karofsky, no more weak sentences and plea deals.”
Sponsor: WMC Issues Mobilization Council
Estimated Spending: $562,760
March 31 – WI WMCIMC Weak Sentences
This ad says that “after a serial abuser and child predator shot a woman, [Jill] Karofsky went easy again, letting the monster off with only 8 years… tell Judge Karofsky, no more weak sentences and plea deals.”
Sponsor: WMC Issues Mobilization Council
Estimated Spending: $12,960
April 1 – WI RSLC Soft on Crime Shot
This ad says that “Karofsky is dangerously soft on crime” and that “the safer choice [is] Daniel Kelly].”
Sponsor: Republican State Leadership Committee
Estimated Spending: $207,200
April 2 – WI A Better WI Caught Lying 15
This ad says “Daniel Kelly’s supporters have been lying about Jill Karofsky. Jill has a strong record standing up for sexual assault and domestic violence, and she’s been honored for it.”
Sponsor: A Better Wisconsin Together Political Fund
Estimated Spending: $63,150