Wisconsin held a nonpartisan primary election for one open seat on the Wisconsin Supreme Court on February 21, 2023. Four candidates: Waukesha County Circuit Court Judge Jennifer Dorow, former Wisconsin Supreme Court justice Daniel Kelly, Dane County Circuit Court Judge Everett Mitchell, and Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge Janet Protasiewicz, competed in the primary election. The two candidates who received the most votes in the primary election, Janet Protasiewicz and Dan Kelly, will proceed to the nonpartisan general election on April 4, 2023.
**Includes ads scheduled to run through April 4. Includes local/national broadcast and cable television, satellite television, and radio. Ad orders are subject to change.
*Spending figures last updated April 6, 2023.
Kantar Media/CMAG: Reported Political Ad Orders: $28,840,040**
Candidates:
- Orders placed by Janet Protasiewicz: $10,525,710
- Orders placed by Daniel Kelly: $579,116
- Orders placed by Jennifer Dorow: $402,385
Outside groups:
- Orders placed by WMC Issues Mobilization Council: $5,818,316
- Orders placed by Fair Courts America: $5,079,212
- Orders placed by A Better Wisconsin Together: $2,971,917
- Orders placed by Women Speak Out PAC: $1,294,760
- Orders placed by American Civil Liberties Union, Inc.: $57,494
- Orders placed by Wisconsin Alliance for Reform: $488,925
- Orders placed by Everytown for Gun Safety: $442,940
- Orders placed by Conservative Action for America: $246,021
- Orders placed by Protect Our Families: $195,251
- Orders placed by NAACP: $65,870
- Orders placed by Justice for Wisconsin: $53,500
- Orders placed by Americas PAC: $45,780
- Orders placed by Power to the Polls Action: $17,999
- Orders laced by Somos PAC: $13,170
- Orders placed by Indivisible Action: $11,674
- Orders placed by Wisconsin Democracy Campaign: $10,000
Kantar Media/CMAG: Estimated Total TV Spending: $15,489,760*
Candidates:
- Estimated spending by Janet Protasiewicz: $6,615,130
- Estimated spending by Daniel Kelly: $313,710
- Estimated spending by Jennifer Dorow: $253,360
Outside groups:
- Estimated spending by WMC Issues Mobilization Council: $2,955,990
- Estimated spending by Fair Courts America: $2,802,480
- Estimated spending by A Better Wisconsin Together Political Fund: $1,545,650
- Estimated spending by Women Speak Out PAC: $706,670
- Estimated spending by Wisconsin Alliance for Reform: $243,640
- Estimated spending by Everytown for Gun Safety Action Fund: $53,130
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March 31 – WI Protasiewicz Head to the Polls
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In this ad, a voiceover says: “The choice is clear: an extremist or a common sense judge, Judge Janet Protasiewicz.”
Sponsor: Janet Protasiewicz
Estimated Spending: $40,440
March 28 – WI Protasiewicz Polls
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In this ad, Judge Janet Protasiewicz says, “Here’s my promise to you: I’ll look at every case in a fair, impartial manner.”
Sponsor: Janet Protasiewicz
Estimated Spending: $126,310
March 28 – WI Protasiewicz Extremist 15
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In this ad, a voiceover says: “Kelly will uphold Wisconsin’s 1849 abortion ban that strips women of their freedom to make personal decisions on abortion.”
Sponsor: Janet Protasiewicz
Estimated Spending: $46,110
March 29 – WI WMCIMC Repeatedly
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In this ad, a voiceover says: “Tell Judge Protasiewicz stop failing victims and stop protecting criminals.”
Sponsor: WMC Issues Mobilization Council
Estimated Spending: $84,470
March 28 – WI Women Speak Out Company They Keep
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In this ad, a voiceover says: “Janet Protasiewicz and her bloodthirsty comrades don’t care about Wisconsin’s values. They care about making money, killing babies.”
Sponsor: Women Speak Out PAC
Estimated Spending: $81,830
March 25 – WI WMCIMC Teenager
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In this ad, a voiceover says: “If Judge Janet Protasiewicz was to ever take a stand for a victim, this was the time, and this was the victim. But she failed, again.”
Sponsor: WMC Issues Mobilization Council
Estimated Spending: $133,150
March 25 – WI Kelly Officers
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In this ad, men in law enforcement uniforms identified as county sheriffs say: “Our officers risk their lives to protect your families. But law enforcement’s hands are tied when judges like Janet Protasiewicz refuse to hold dangerous criminals accountable.”
Sponsor: Dan Kelly
Estimated Spending: $83,340
March 25 – WI Fair Courts America Attacked
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In this ad, a voiceover says: “Judge Janet’s dangerous judgment puts our families at risks. That’s why sheriffs throughout Wisconsin support Dan Kelly.”
Sponsor: Fair Courts America
Estimated Spending: $63,620
March 25 – WI Kelly Uphold the Rule of Law 15
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In this ad, Daniel Kelly says: “I’m running to uphold the rule of law, defend our constitution, reject bias and activism.”
Sponsor: Daniel Kelly
Estimated Spending: $15,580
March 23 – WI Women Speak Out Quantrell Bounds
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In this ad, a voiceover says: “Any rational person would want this guy behind bars for a long time. Not Judge Janet Protasiewicz. She showed sympathy for him.”
Sponsor: Women Speak Out PAC
Estimated Spending: $624,840
March 21 – WI Protasiewicz Clayton 15
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In this ad, a man identified as Clayton says: “Janet cares about us.”
Sponsor: Janet Protasiewicz
Estimated Spending: TBA
March 21 – WI Everytown Ally of Trump
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In this ad, a voiceover says: “an ally of former President Trump is one step closer to joining the Wisconsin Supreme Court.”
Sponsor: Everytown for Gun Safety Action Fund
Estimated Spending: $15,410
March 21 – WI Protasiewicz Christine B Roll
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In this ad, four people say: “first of all, he recused himself from the Zignego case because of ethical concerns,” “then he took 20,000 bucks from Zignego and his family,” “after he got the money, he unrecused himself so he could judge the case,” “that’s not something a judge with any ethics should do.”
Sponsor: Janet Protasiewicz
Estimated Spending: $176,810
March 21 – WI Protasiewicz Anna
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In this ad, a woman identified as Anna from Green Bay says: “there were severe health complications with my baby when I was pregnant. We made the decision to have an abortion so our daughter wouldn’t suffer. Dan Kelly doesn’t believe that women should even have that freedom.”
Sponsor: Janet Protasiewicz
Estimated Spending: $545,560
March 21 – WI Protasiewicz Holding the Gavel
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In this ad, a voiceover says: “on abortion rights, do you really want extremist Dan Kelly holding the gavel?”
Sponsor: Janet Protasiewicz
Estimated Spending: $424,330
March 21 – WI Protasiewicz Christine
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In this ad, three people identified as Wisconsin seniors say: “what a jerk,” “that tells you a lot about the kind of judge he’ll be on the court,” and “he’s an extremist” in response to Dan Kelly’s past statements and rulings regarding social security.
Sponsor: Janet Protasiewicz
Estimated Spending: $159,990
March 21– WI Protasiewicz Clayton
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In this ad, a man identified as Clayton says: “I saw her work up close. She’s compassionate, she’s fair, and she believes in public safety. On the Supreme Court, I know she’ll fight for you, because she fought for me.”
Sponsor: Janet Protasiewicz
Estimated Spending: $221,370
March 21 – WI Everytown You Already Know
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In this ad, a voiceover says: “Kelly opposed background checks on all gun sales, and even wrote the court decision making it easier for dangerous people to carry guns in public.”
Sponsor: Everytown for Gun Safety Action Fund
Estimated Spending: $37,720
March 18 – WI Kelly Dale Schmidt
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In this ad, a man in a police uniform who is identified as Dale Schmidt, Dale County Sheriff, says, “Sheriffs like us from around the state are supporting Daniel Kelly for Wisconsin Supreme Court. Justice Kelly’s opponent, Janet Protasiewicz, is a Milwaukee County judge with a long history of letting dangerous criminals back into our streets.”
Sponsor: Daniel Kelly
Estimated Spending: $214,790
March 17 – WI WMCIMC Locked Him in His Room
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In this ad, a voiceover says: “tell Judge Protasiewicz this is not justice. Stop protecting criminals.”
Sponsor: WMC Issues Mobilization Council
Estimated Spending: $832,500
March 14 – WI Protasiewicz Sheriff David Mahoney
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In this ad, Sheriff David Mahoney says: “Dan Kelly and his friends are lying about Judge Janet Protasiewicz.”
Sponsor: Janet Protasiewicz
Estimated Spending: $594,020
March 14 – WI Protasiewicz Social Security
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In this ad, a voiceover says: “Wisconsin seniors depend on Social Security. But extremist Dan Kelly doesn’t care about them. Kelly wrote that Social Security was similar to slavery.”
Sponsor: Janet Protasiewicz
Estimated Spending: $220,200
March 14 – WI Protasiewicz Extremely Corrupt
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In this ad, a voiceover says: “Dan Kelly is extremely corrupt. Six times, Kelly ruled in favor of a plaintiff with close ties. He was on their advisory panel.”
Sponsor: Janet Protasiewicz
Estimated Spending: $546,580
March 10 – WI Protasiewicz Twenty Five Years Forklift B Roll
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In this ad, a voiceover says: “As a judge, Janet upholds the constitution, and she fiercely guards our rights. She believes women should have the freedom to make their own decisions on abortion.”
Sponsor: Janet Protasiewicz
Estimated Spending: $8,720
March 9 – WI Protasiewicz Twenty Five Years B Roll
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In this ad, a voiceover says: “for 25 years, Janet Protasiewicz was a prosecutor, fighting for justice for victims of crime. Helping people like her, and him, and them.”
Sponsor: Janet Protasiewicz
Estimated Spending: $9,700
March 8 – WI Protasiewicz Buy Off
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In this ad, a voiceover says: “What does it cost to buy off a judge? For extremist Dan Kelly, he’s for sale for twenty thousand dollars.”
Sponsor: Janet Protasiewicz
Estimated Spending: $552,930
March 8 – WI WMCIMC Prison Time
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In this ad, a voiceover says: “Protasiewicz set violent criminals free again and again.”
Sponsor: WMC Issues Mobilization Council
Estimated Spending: $1,572,980
March 8 – WI Protasiewicz Two Candidates
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In this ad, a voiceover says: “Who represents you? An extremist or a common sense judge?”
Sponsor: Janet Protasiewicz
Estimated Spending: $443,540
March 8 – WI Protasiewicz Twenty Five Years Forklift
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In this ad, a voiceover says: “she believes everyone deserves a safe community. As a judge, Janet upholds the constitution, and she fiercely guards our rights.”
Sponsor: Janet Protasiewicz
Estimated Spending: $91,620
March 8 – WI Protasiewicz Twenty Five Years
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In this ad, a voiceover says: “For 25 years, Janet Protasiewicz was a prosecutor, fighting for justice for victims of crime.”
Sponsor: Janet Protasiewicz
Estimated Spending: $208,100
February 28 – WI FairCourtsAmerica Convicted Felon
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In this ad, a voiceover says: “Judge Protasiewicz puts our families at risk, and putting her on our supreme court: that’s what’s ridiculous.”
Sponsor: Fair Courts America
Estimated Spending: $1,218,210
February 24 – WI ABetterWI 1849 Law
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In this ad, a voiceover says: “Kelly repeatedly attacked abortion rights and groups fighting to protect them. Kelly worked for a radical anti-abortion group and is endorsed by groups who’d ban abortions with no exceptions for rape or incest.”
Sponsor: A Better Wisconsin Together Political Fund
Estimated Spending: $423,630
February 24 – WI ABetterWI Social Security
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In this ad, a voiceover says: “Daniel Kelly is so out of touch that he likened social security to slavery.”
Sponsor: A Better Wisconsin Together Political Fund
Estimated Spending: $183,000
February 24 – WI Protasiewicz Extremist
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In this ad, a voiceover says: “On the court, Kelly will uphold Wisconsin’s 1849 criminal abortion ban that strips women of their freedom to make personal decisions on abortion.”
Sponsor: Janet Protasiewicz
Estimated Spending: $471,640
February 23 – WI Protasiewicz Communities Safe
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In this ad, a voiceover says: “Dan Kelly won’t keep our communities safe. As a lawyer Kelly defended child sex predators who posed as ministers in order to prey on vulnerable young girls.”
Sponsor: Janet Protasiewicz
Estimated Spending: $559,690
February 14 – WIAllianceReform Violent Felon
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In this ad, a voiceover says, “Tell Janet Protasiewicz setting child rapists free isn’t funny.”
Sponsor: Wisconsin Alliance for Reform
Estimated Spending: $165,140
February 14 – WI WMCIMC Violent Felon
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In this ad, a voiceover says, “Tell Janet Protasiewicz setting child rapists free isn’t funny.”
Sponsor: WMC Issue Mobilization Council
Estimated Spending: $170,690
February 14 – WI ABetterWI Oak Creek
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In this ad, a voiceover says, “Jennifer Dorow saw fit to let a violent criminal roam our streets.That makes her unfit to serve on our supreme court.”
Sponsor: A Better Wisconsin Together Political Fund
Estimated Spending: $413,470
February 10 – WI Fair Courts America Madison Liberals End Card
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In this ad, a voiceover says, “Dan Kelly has a proven record of protecting our freedoms, and cast the deciding vote to end the COVID lockdowns of our schools and businesses.”
Sponsor: Fair Courts America
Estimated Spending: $1,11,210
February 10 – WI WIAllianceReform Crystal Ball
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In this ad, a voiceover says: “tell Janet Protasiewicz: with violent criminals, it doesn’t take a crystal ball.”
Sponsor: Wisconsin Alliance for Reform
Estimated Spending: $78,500
February 10 – WI Protasiewicz The Truth
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In this ad, a voiceover says: “It’s started. Outright lies about Judge Janet Protasiewicz. The truth? Judge Janet spent 25 years as prosecutor locking up dangerous criminals.”
Sponsor: Janet Protasiewicz
Estimated Spending: $126,550
February 8 – WI Dorow Christmas Parade
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In this ad, a voiceover says: “Wife, mother, prosecutor. Judge Dorow’s life’s work is keeping Wisconsin families safe.”
Sponsor: Jennifer Dorow
Estimated Spending: $253,360
February 8 – WI WMCIMC Crystal Ball
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In this ad, a voiceover says: “Veasley abducted and raped a 15-year-old girl. Judge Janet Protasiewicz could have sent him to prison for 20 years. Instead, Protasiewicz gave him time served and probation.”
Sponsor: WMC Issues Mobilization Council
Estimated Spending: $162,200
February 7 – WI Protasiewicz Common Sense Judge B Roll 15
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In this ad, a voiceover says: “She believes in protecting our freedoms, fairness for all, and public safety.”
Sponsor: Janet Protasiewicz
Estimated Spending: $68,560
February 7 – WI Protasiewicz You Don’t Need to Know 15
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In this ad, a voiceover says: “You don’t need to know how to say Protasiewicz to know that Judge Janet believes in abortion rights, fairness, and public safety.”Okay
Sponsor: Janet Protasiewicz
Estimated Spending: $54,090
February 7 – WI Protasiewicz You Don’t Need to Know B Roll 15
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In this ad, a voiceover says: “You don’t need to know how to say Protasiewicz to know that Judge Janet believes in abortion rights, fairness, and public safety.”
Sponsor: Janet Protasiewicz
Estimated Spending: $137,030
February 7 – WI A Better WI Keep Our Families Safe
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In this ad, a voiceover says: “Jennifer Dorow lets criminals off the hook, and that has no place on our Supreme Court.”
Sponsor: A Better Wisconsin Together Political Fund
Estimated Spending: $525,550
February 7 – WI Protasiewicz Common Sense Judge Social Issues 15
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In this ad, a voiceover says: “a former prosecutor, now circuit court judge Janet Protasiewicz. On the Supreme Court, she’ll be a common sense judge.”
Sponsor: Janet Protasiewicz
Estimated Spending: $165,980
February 3 – WI Protasiewicz Common Sense Judge 15
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In this ad, Janet Protasiewicz says, “On the Supreme Court I’ll protect our freedoms, fight for public safety, and against extremism. It’s time for a change.”
Sponsor: Janet Protasiewicz
Estimated Spending: $90
February 3 – WI Fair Courts America Madison Liberals
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In this ad, a voiceover says, “Madison liberals are trying to take over the Wisconsin Supreme Court. That’s why we need to elect conservative justice Dan Kelly.”
Sponsor: Fair Courts America
Estimated Spending: $419,440
January 27 – WI Protasiewicz I Know What It Takes 15
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In this ad, Janet Protasiewicz says, “as a prosecutor for 25 years and now as a judge, I know what it takes to keep Wisconsin communities safe.”
Sponsor: Janet Protasiewicz
Estimated Spending: $62,810
January 27 – WI Protasiewicz She Believes 15
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In this ad, women labeled as Wisconsin voters say, “extremists want to ban abortion even in cases of rape or the health of the mother” and a voiceover says “Judge Janet Protasiewicz is the judge Wisconsin needs.”
Sponsor: Janet Protasiewicz
Estimated Spending: $152,970
January 27 – WI Protasiewicz Locked Up 15
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In this ad, Janet Protasiewicz says, “I’ve locked up murderers, rapists, and child sex predators. On the Supreme Court I’ll protect our freedoms, fight for public safety, and against extremism.”
Sponsor: Janet Protasiewicz
Estimated Spending: $30,300
January 27 – WI Protasiewicz Former Prosecutor 15
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In this ad, Janet Protasiewicz says, “on the Supreme Court, I’ll be a common sense judge. I’ll protect public safety. I believe in a woman’s freedom to make her own decision on abortion. It’s time for a change.”
Sponsor: Janet Protasiewicz
Estimated Spending: $81,080
