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Jack Kelly

@byjackkelly.bsky.social
845 followers 449 following 49 posts
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Jack Kelly @byjackkelly.bsky.social · 16/05/2025
Some personal news: Today is my last day with @wisconsinwatch.org. I've decided to pursue a career opportunity outside of journalism. Thanks to everyone who has engaged with me during this wild ride on the Wisconsin politics beat. Support local news. It's more important than ever.
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Jack Kelly @byjackkelly.bsky.social · 03/04/2025
NEWS: Retiring liberal Justice Ann Walsh Bradley is going out on top. Her colleagues elected her today to serve a two-month stint as chief justice. Justice Jill Karofsky will become chief this summer after AWB steps back from the role in anticipation of retirement.
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Jack Kelly @byjackkelly.bsky.social · 03/04/2025
After 30 years, today is liberal Justice Ann Walsh Bradley's final oral argument on the Wisconsin Supreme Court. She received a genuinely nice tribute from conservative Chief Justice Annette Ziegler. (Reposted for clarity)
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Jack Kelly @byjackkelly.bsky.social · 02/04/2025
Susan Crawford’s win on Tuesday paves the way for the court’s liberal majority to continue to flex its influence over WI politics. The Dane County judge’s victory guarantees that liberals will control the court until at least 2028. Here's what the means for Wisconsin. For @wisconsinwatch.org:
wisconsinwatch.org
What Susan Crawford’s Wisconsin Supreme Court win means
The Dane County Circuit Court judge’s victory guarantees that liberals will control the court until at least 2028.
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Reposted by Jack Kelly
Wisconsin Watch @wisconsinwatch.org · 02/04/2025
The results are in for Wisconsin's Supreme Court election. @byjackkelly.bsky.social on what Susan Crawford’s victory could mean for some key issues.
wisconsinwatch.org
What Susan Crawford’s Wisconsin Supreme Court win means
The Dane County Circuit Court judge’s victory guarantees that liberals will control the court until at least 2028.
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Reposted by Jack Kelly
Scott Bauer Associated Press @sbauerap.bsky.social · 28/03/2025
Wisconsin's Democratic attorney general Josh Kaul said he planned to seek a court order Friday to stop Musk from handing over two $1 million checks on Sunday at a rally in the state two days before the Supreme Court election. apnews.com/article/wisc...
apnews.com
Musk changes reason for visiting Wisconsin to hand out $2 million ahead of Supreme Court election
Billionaire Elon Musk has clarified his reasons for visiting Wisconsin two days ahead of its hotly contested Supreme Court election.
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Jack Kelly @byjackkelly.bsky.social · 24/03/2025
A story worth your time this morning. Jones said a 14-year-old trans kid helped to change his perspective at the hearing. “This kid was actually suffering,” he said. “And I thought to myself, nobody has to do that. You’re only a kid.” Hallie Claflin for @wisconsinwatch.org:
wisconsinwatch.org
Wisconsin man's testimony about gender-affirming care went viral
Retired Milwaukee prison maintenance worker Larry Jones sat through seven hours of committee testimony before changing his mind.
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Jack Kelly @byjackkelly.bsky.social · 21/03/2025
Early/absentee voting in the 2025 Wisconsin Supreme Court race continues to surge: 193,143 ballots have been returned so far (11 days out). That's a 39% jump compared to the same point in the 2023 race. Waukesha County has seen a 50% increase. Dane up 34%. Milwaukee up 32%.
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Jack Kelly @byjackkelly.bsky.social · 19/03/2025
NEW for @wisconsinwatch.org: Vicious ads, record spending, Elon Musk: Wisconsin Supreme Court race reflects nasty, new normal. I take a look at why a nationally watched race with such high stakes is focused on... issues largely irrelevant to the high court's work:
wisconsinwatch.org
Wisconsin high court election: race to bottom with ads, spending
Susan Crawford and Brad Schimel have traded attacks that have little connection with what Supreme Court justices actually do.
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Reposted by Jack Kelly
Jim Malewitz @jmalewitz.bsky.social · 16/02/2025
Gov. Evers wants to overhaul Wisconsin’s corrections system, pushing a plan to close one of the state’s two oldest prisons, renovate the other and convert the state’s troubled youth prison into a facility for adult men. wisconsinwatch.org/2025/02/wisc... via @byjackkelly.bsky.social
wisconsinwatch.org
Tony Evers to propose $500 million prison overhaul, closing Green Bay facility by 2029
The plan would complete a Dane County youth facility, convert Lincoln Hills from juveniles to adults and renovate Waupun’s troubled prison
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Jack Kelly @byjackkelly.bsky.social · 21/01/2025
Wisconsin is among coalition of Dem-led states challenging Trump's executive order attempting to end birthright citizenship (which he can't do unilaterally; the U.S. Constitution would need to be amended). “We must defend Americans’ constitutional rights," says @govevers.wisconsin.gov. Filing:
doj.state.wi.us
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Jack Kelly @byjackkelly.bsky.social · 21/01/2025
This comes after Schimel launched a $1.1 million ad buy last week -- the first meaningful buy from a candidate during the campaign.
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Jack Kelly @byjackkelly.bsky.social · 21/01/2025
Liberal WI Supreme Court candidate Susan Crawford launched a 7-figure ad buy today. In her first ad, the narrator declares "she’ll look at the facts and uphold the law." In the second, she attacks her opponent, Brad Schimel, saying he's "too extreme for the Wisconsin Supreme Court."
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Jack Kelly @byjackkelly.bsky.social · 20/01/2025
Punchbowl News reporting John Boehner, Newt Gingrich and Kevin McCarthy, all GOP former speakers, are at Trump's second inauguration today. It appears Wisconsin's Paul Ryan, who was speaker during Trump's first term, is not in attendance. 👀
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Reposted by Jack Kelly
Scott Bauer Associated Press @sbauerap.bsky.social · 10/12/2024
The Wisconsin Department of Justice has filed 10 additional felony charges against two attorneys and an aide who advised President-elect Donald Trump following his 2020 loss in Wisconsin. Each of the charges is for defrauding the 10 GOP electors who met to cast votes for Trump
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Jack Kelly @byjackkelly.bsky.social · 09/12/2024
Two lawyers and a former Trump aide are scheduled to appear in court Thursday, each facing a felony charge for their roles in a scheme that generated documents falsely claiming Donald Trump won Wisconsin’s 2020 election. One defendant is fighting the charge: wisconsinwatch.org/2024/12/wisc...
wisconsinwatch.org
Former Trump attorney fights 2020 ‘fake electors’ felony charge
Michael Roman and attorneys Jim Troupis and Kenneth Chesebro are scheduled to appear in a Dane County court to face charges stemming from a plan to overturn the 2020 election.
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Reposted by Jack Kelly
Votebeat @votebeat.org · 09/12/2024
GOP asks court to determine when Trump’s electors are supposed to cast their votes www.votebeat.org/wisconsin/2024/12/…
votebeat.org
When must Trump’s Wisconsin electors cast their votes? Two laws are in conflict.
Wisconsin law says the state’s electors have to meet Dec. 16 to cast ballots. Federal law says Dec. 17. A lawsuit from the state GOP seeks to straighten it out.
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Reposted by Jack Kelly
Jim Malewitz @jmalewitz.bsky.social · 06/12/2024
I didn't previously wonder how much the Wisconsin Capitol's "holiday tree" weighs, but I'm now blessed with the knowledge that it's about 1,500 pounds — thanks to @byjackkelly.bsky.social.
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Jack Kelly @byjackkelly.bsky.social · 05/12/2024
It's looking very festive here at the Capitol. The 🎄 is lit! 📷: @josephmtimmerman.bsky.social for @wisconsinwatch.bsky.social:
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Jack Kelly @byjackkelly.bsky.social · 05/12/2024
“No judge wants to send a kid to Lincoln Hills,” said a MKE County judge, who has presided over juvenile cases. “You feel like you’re damning the kid. And if you look at the recidivism rates that come out of Lincoln Hills, you pretty much are damning a kid.” From @mkoran.bsky.social and Devin Blake:
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Jack Kelly @byjackkelly.bsky.social · 03/12/2024
Did Wisconsin Supreme Court candidate Susan Crawford try to overturn Act 10? Yes, reports @tomkertschernews.bsky.social for @wisconsinwatch.bsky.social: wisconsinwatch.org/2024/12/did-...
wisconsinwatch.org
Did Wisconsin Supreme Court candidate Susan Crawford try to overturn Act 10?
Yes. Susan Crawford was among attorneys who sued seeking to overturn Act 10, which effectively ended collective bargaining for most Wisconsin public employee unions.
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Reposted by Jack Kelly
Tom Kertscher @tomkertschernews.bsky.social · 03/12/2024
Fact-checking a Wisconsin Supreme Court candidate on Act 10. wisconsinwatch.org/2024/12/did-...
wisconsinwatch.org
Did Wisconsin Supreme Court candidate Susan Crawford try to overturn Act 10?
Yes. Susan Crawford was among attorneys who sued seeking to overturn Act 10, which effectively ended collective bargaining for most Wisconsin public employee unions.
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Jack Kelly @byjackkelly.bsky.social · 02/12/2024
Wisconsin Supreme Court Chief Justice Annette Ziegler on the passing of former Justice David Prosser: "Many knew him as a Wisconsin Supreme Court justice, a position which he held for 18 years. But to me, David was more than that: he was my friend. I will miss him greatly."
A statement from Chief Justice Annettee Ziegler on the passing of former Justice David Prosser.
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Reposted by Jack Kelly
JR Ross @jrrosswrites.bsky.social · 02/12/2024
Former Supreme Court Justice David Prosser, who also served as Assembly speaker, passed away yesterday, according to former aide Brian Schimming. A formal statement is planned later today. See more in today's AM Update: www.wispolitics.com/2024/mon-am-...
wispolitics.com
MON AM Update: Prosser passes away; Rothman previews UW financial report on ‘UpFront’
From WisPolitics ... -- Former Justice David Prosser, who served as GOP speaker of the state Assembly before his 18-year career on the state Supreme Court, died yesterday. He was 81. State GOP Chair B...
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Jack Kelly @byjackkelly.bsky.social · 27/11/2024
Cool new project from @wisconsinwatch.bsky.social and @josephmtimmerman.bsky.social: Public Square, "an occasional photography series introducing your neighbors from across Wisconsin." More here: wisconsinwatch.org/2024/11/wisc...
wisconsinwatch.org
Public Square: Portraits of your neighbors from across Wisconsin
We’re launching Public Square, an occasional photography series introducing your neighbors from across Wisconsin.
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Reposted by Jack Kelly
Wisconsin Watch @wisconsinwatch.org · 26/11/2024
The sale of raw or unpasteurized milk generally is illegal in Wisconsin, although “incidental sales” are legal. Our latest fact brief has a list of reliable sources for anyone who wants to understand the debate over raw milk sales.
wisconsinwatch.org
Is there a legal way to get raw milk in Wisconsin?
Yes. But only at a farm. Otherwise it is illegal to sell in the state of Wisconsin.
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Jack Kelly @byjackkelly.bsky.social · 26/11/2024
Gov. Tony Evers has arrived on Bluesky:
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Tom Kertscher @tomkertschernews.bsky.social · 25/11/2024
Wisconsin state employees should be in the office at least 3 days per week, Assembly Speaker Robin Vos tells @wisn12news.bsky.social, because many "aren't working, or they're working only from home and not doing it very well, with little supervision." youtu.be/IPJNTljGLr4?...
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Jack Kelly @byjackkelly.bsky.social · 20/11/2024
And so it begins: The Democratic Party of Wisconsin endorses Judge Susan Crawford in April's state Supreme Court race. DPW spent heavily to elect Justice Janet Protasiewicz in 2023. Expect a similar playbook this year.
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Jack Kelly @byjackkelly.bsky.social · 18/11/2024
In a video posted on X (TwitterO, Republican candidate Eric Hovde conceded Wisconsin's U.S. Senate race to Tammy Baldwin — almost two weeks after Election Day. A Baldwin campaign spokesperson told @wisconsinwatch.bsky.social he did not call the senator to notify her Video: x.com/EricHovde/st...
x.com
x.com
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Jack Kelly @byjackkelly.bsky.social · 13/11/2024
What's with the sudden influx of people here? Serious question.
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Jack Kelly @byjackkelly.bsky.social · 09/01/2024
Starting soon: An Assembly committee will hear testimony Tuesday on a final five voting bill. What's that? And what would it mean for Wisconsinites? I've got you covered:
wisconsinwatch.org
Wisconsin GOP at odds over final five and ranked-choice voting
Legislative Republicans are at odds over bringing final five voting and ranked-choice voting to Wisconsin.
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Jack Kelly @byjackkelly.bsky.social · 06/12/2023
NEW this morning: Gov. Tony Evers vetoes legislation banning gender-affirming care for trans Wisconsin kids Via @phoebepetrovic.bsky.social, who witnessed the veto in person, for Wisconsin Watch:
wisconsinwatch.org
Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers vetoes trans youth care ban
Transgender youth will continue to have access to gender-affirming medical care, provided Gov. Tony Evers’ veto survives an override early next year.
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Jack Kelly @byjackkelly.bsky.social · 17/10/2023
All Republicans, except Sen. Rob Cowles of Green Bay, voted against Czarnezki serving on the commission. Ten of 11 Democrats voted to support him. Sen. Lena Taylor of Milwaukee did not vote.
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Jack Kelly @byjackkelly.bsky.social · 17/10/2023
Just now: The state Senate voted against confirming Joseph Czarnezki to serve as a Democratic member on the bipartisan Wisconsin Elections Commission. Czarnezki drew GOP ire for abstaining in a vote to renominate Administrator Meagan Wolfe, allowing her to stay in the job.
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Jack Kelly @byjackkelly.bsky.social · 17/10/2023
As the GOP-controlled state Senate prepares to vote this afternoon on a bill banning gender-affirming care for trans kids in Wisconsin — a bill Democratic Gov. Tony Evers will veto — I wanted to once again bump this WisconsinWatch story from @phoebepetrovic.bsky.social:
wisconsinwatch.org
What gender-affirming care means to these Wisconsin families
As Republicans weigh limiting their options, three families share their experience receiving medical care for transgender children at three stages of development.
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Jack Kelly @byjackkelly.bsky.social · 16/10/2023
More court news: Gov. Tony Evers and AG Josh Kaul file a brief in an ongoing lawsuit asking the Wisconsin Supreme Court to declare the state's current legislative districts unconstitutional. See their brief here: content.govdelivery.com/attachments/...
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Jack Kelly @byjackkelly.bsky.social · 16/10/2023
They also admitted that Wolfe is "lawfully holding over" as administrator. Wolfe's term expired on July 1, but procedural moves from Dems on the commission and a recent SCOWIS ruling have kept Wolfe in the job.
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Jack Kelly @byjackkelly.bsky.social · 16/10/2023
NEW: In a legal filing, Republican lawmakers concede that action taking by the state Senate seeking to remove Meagan Wolfe as nonpartisan administrator of the Wisconsin Elections Commission was "symbolic."
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Jack Kelly @byjackkelly.bsky.social · 12/10/2023
The Assembly will vote today on two bills barring trans girls and women from playing girls' and women's sports and another that would ban gender-affirming care for trans kids. Last week, @phoebepetrovic.bsky.social debunked misinfo spread during hearings about these bills. It's a must-read:
wisconsinwatch.org
Wisconsin’s transgender bill hearings were full of misinformation. Here are the facts.
Republicans have proposed banning gender-affirming care for transgender youth and regulating transgender participation in high school and college sports.
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Jack Kelly @byjackkelly.bsky.social · 10/10/2023
“To sum up my views, there should be no effort to impeach Justice Protasiewicz on anything we know now,” a former conservative SCOWIS justice advised Assembly Speaker Robin Vos. From the Associated Press: wisconsinwatch.org/2023/10/jane...
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Jack Kelly @byjackkelly.bsky.social · 10/10/2023
This story is an interesting look at how often-overlooked elected officials can wield real power and influence people’s everyday lives.
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Jack Kelly @byjackkelly.bsky.social · 07/10/2023
Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Janet Protasiewicz, in her decision *not* to recuse from a pair of redistricting cases, reminds involved parties of her margin of victory. … and, for whatever reason, also reminds folks that Justice Jill Karofsky also blew out Justice Dan Kelly in 2020.
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