MADISON, Wis.  – Today, Judge Susan Crawford wrote in a new op-ed in The Capital Times that she is running for the Wisconsin Supreme Court to be a common sense Justice dedicated to protecting the fundamental rights and freedoms of all Wisconsinites.

Meanwhile, politician Brad Schimel has spent his entire career advancing an extreme far-right agenda. Judge Crawford wrote: “As attorney general, [Brad Schimel] failed victims of sexual assault by completing DNA testing on just nine out of over 6,000 backlogged sexual assault kits in two years, leaving dangerous predators on the streets and denying victims the justice they deserved.”

“Schimel’s record speaks for itself,” wrote Judge Crawford. “It’s clear that he is more concerned with advancing his own political agenda than protecting the safety and well-being of our communities and families.”

Read more here and see excerpts below.

The Capital Times | Susan Crawford:  I’ll Protect The Rights of All Wisconsinites

As a former prosecutor, private practice attorney, and now as a Dane County Circuit Court judge, I have dedicated my entire life to upholding the law, protecting our communities and delivering justice.

Now I’m running for a seat on the Wisconsin Supreme Court to be a commonsense justice dedicated to protecting the fundamental rights and freedoms of all Wisconsinites.

I grew up in Chippewa Falls, where my dad was an engineer who earned his degree with the help of the G.I. Bill after serving in Korea. My mom’s roots run deep in Wisconsin — she’s a third-generation Wisconsinite from Green County, where her great-grandfather had a barbershop in Monroe back in the 1860s. My parents, both born during the Great Depression, led by example and taught us four kids to be resilient and never give up.

Life wasn’t always easy when I was growing up in Chippewa Falls. Our family faced some challenges, but we stuck together, worked hard and made it through the tough times. I’m now the proud mom of two hard-working young adults. My husband and I brought up our kids to help others and give back to the community.

All of this taught me the difference between right and wrong, the value of common sense, the importance of honesty and hard work — principles that have guided me throughout my career, and principles I’ll bring to the Wisconsin Supreme Court.

[…]

On April 1, the stakes couldn’t be higher. Wisconsinites face a pivotal choice: whether to elect a justice who believes in common sense and protecting the rights and freedoms of all Wisconsinites, or my opponent, Brad Schimel, who has spent his career advancing an extreme political agenda and stripping away our rights and protections under the law.

As attorney general, he failed victims of sexual assault by completing DNA testing on just nine out of over 6,000 backlogged sexual assault kits in two years, leaving dangerous predators on the streets and denying victims the justice they deserved.

He also hired top deputies at the Wisconsin Department of Justice who were deployed to strategize with far-right groups across the country to overturn Roe v. Wade. As a result, countless women now have less protection under our constitution than their mothers before them — including my own daughter.

But Schimel is not satisfied even with stripping from women 50 years of constitutional rights. He has repeatedly spoken in favor of an 1849 law that would criminalize abortion, with no exceptions for rape or incest. Schimel has called that 175-year-old law “valid” and asks, “What is flawed about it?”

Schimel’s record speaks for itself. It’s clear that he is more concerned with advancing his own political agenda than protecting the safety and well-being of our communities and families.

[…]

This election is about more than just a seat on the court. It’s about the kind of state we want for our kids and the values that will shape Wisconsin’s future. The stakes could not be higher. As a justice on the Wisconsin Supreme Court, I will always be fair and impartial, and will do the right thing for our state.