A Peek at the Race Which Will Determine Partisan Balance of Wisconsin Supreme Court

Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel on round 1 of a two-round race:

[The incumbent Justice] Roggensack has had the fundraising advantage in the race, raising more than $235,000 through early February. Fallone has raised about $80,000. Megna – who once said he planned to donate $100,000 of his own money to his campaign – has put in just $10,000 and decided at the beginning of the year not to ask others for money, saying he would ramp up his campaign if he makes it through the primary.

Roggensack is the only candidate with an ad on television. Her campaign is also being boosted by a spot run by the conservative Wisconsin Club for Growth. The other candidates are not getting help from outside groups.

In an unusual move for a court race, Megna early in the campaign declared himself a Democrat and announced he supports gay rights and limits on guns. He said the other candidates should state their partisan leanings and spell out their stances on issues.

Megna’s positions didn’t do anything to win him support from high-profile Democrats or their allies. That backing instead went to Fallone, who has received the endorsements of the Wisconsin Education Association Council and other labor groups, former U.S. Sen. Russ Feingold and Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett.

Meanwhile, Roggensack, 72, of Madison, has gotten financial support from Republican Party campaign committees and the endorsement of the anti-abortion group Wisconsin Right to Life.

Despite their partisan support, Roggensack and Fallone have rejected Megna’s call to state their political views. They both say it is essential for justices to be viewed as impartial.

 

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