The Dem group A Better Wisconsin Together Inc. has launched a seven-figure media buy targeting conservative candidate Maria Lazar, the first significant outlay in this spring’s state Supreme Court race.
The group said the statewide buy began Monday and will run on all major digital platforms.
The 15-second spots accuse Lazar of being “extreme” on abortion and supporting groups that want to ban books.
The narrator in the abortion spot says Lazar publicly opposed a woman’s right to the procedure and called overturning Roe v. Wade “very wise.”
>> WisPolitics is now on the State Affairs network. Get custom keyword notifications, bill tracking and all WisPolitics content. Get the app or access via desktop.
The narrator adds Lazar is endorsed by groups that oppose abortion, even in cases of rape and to save the mother’s life, and urges viewers to “Tell Judge Lazar she’s too extreme on abortion.”
In the second ad, the narrator says Lazar supports groups that want to ban books in schools and prevent them from teaching about slavery. The narrator closes the spot, “Call Judge Lazar and tell her that’s not the Wisconsin way.”
WisPolitics tracked $115 million in last year’s state Supreme Court race, which became nationalized as liberals held onto their 4-3 majority. This year’s race for the seat of retiring conservative Justice Rebecca Bradley isn’t expected to be nearly as expensive, and outside spending is off to a slower start so far compared to a year ago.
The Wisconsin Conservation Voters Independent Expenditure Committee is the only group to file an independent expenditure report so far in this race, detailing $4,355 it spent on printing brochures backing liberal Chris Taylor in the race.
