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JR Ross

@jrrosswrites.bsky.social
324 followers 40 following 103 posts

Dad, husband, coach, IU grad, mediocre golfer, covering Wisconsin politics since 2000. Editor, WisPolitics.com.

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JR Ross @jrrosswrites.bsky.social · 01/08/2025
A new federal filing shows an Elon Musk PAC spent $27 million on “petition incentives” during the first half of '25 as he offered Wisconsin voters $100 if they registered their opposition to “judicial activists” during the SCOWIS race. See more: pro.stateaffairs.com/wi/elections...
pro.stateaffairs.com
Filing: Musk’s America PAC spent $27 million on ‘petition incentives’
Elon Musk’s America PAC, which offered Wisconsin voters $100 if they registered their opposition to “judicial activists” through a website, spent more than $27 million on “petition incentives” during ...
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JR Ross @jrrosswrites.bsky.social · 17/07/2025
News: A source close to @GovEvers said no final decision has been made on seeking a 3rd, his team hasn't called potential Dem contenders to tell them he's out, and there will be no announcement in the next 24-36 hours. See more in today's PM Update: pro.stateaffairs.com/wi/pm-update...
pro.stateaffairs.com
THU PM Update: Dem source: Evers hasn’t made decision yet on reelection
From WisPolitics … — A source close to Tony Evers today told WisPolitics the governor hasn’t yet made a final decision on seeking a third term, pushing back on reports that a retirement an...
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JR Ross @jrrosswrites.bsky.social · 05/06/2025
Quick story on the breakdown in budget talks between GOP leaders, @GovEvers: pro.stateaffairs.com/wi/budget/bu...
pro.stateaffairs.com
Budget talks between Evers, GOP leaders break down
GOP legislative leaders late today declared budget negotiations with Dem Gov. Tony Evers had reached an impasse and said they will now turn to the Joint Finance Committee to build their proposal.
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JR Ross @jrrosswrites.bsky.social · 30/05/2025
Jim Davel, the county administrator, told @wispolitics in a phone interview he has “no idea what the heck this is about whatsoever.” www.wispolitics.com/2025/trump-a...
wispolitics.com
Trump administration labels Wisconsin's deep-red Shawano County ‘sanctuary’ community refusing to cooperate on immigration
Jim Davel, the county administrator, told WisPolitics in a phone interview he has “no idea what the heck this is about whatsoever.”
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JR Ross @jrrosswrites.bsky.social · 28/05/2025
It would be their third day of meetings after they first got together March 26. Vos, R-Rochester, also confirmed legislative leaders met with Evers last week. www.wispolitics.com/2025/vos-law...
wispolitics.com
Vos: Lawmakers working to schedule another budget meeting with Evers
It would be their third day of meetings after they first got together March 26. Vos, R-Rochester, also confirmed legislative leaders met with Evers last week.
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JR Ross @jrrosswrites.bsky.social · 23/05/2025
Bjt nugget: Dem Gov. Tony Evers met twice with GOP legislative leaders this week as budget talks have ramped up, according to multiple sources. www.wispolitics.com/2025/evers-g...
wispolitics.com
Evers, GOP leaders met twice on budget
Dem Gov. Tony Evers met twice with GOP legislative leaders this week as budget talks have ramped up, according to multiple sources.
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JR Ross @jrrosswrites.bsky.social · 20/05/2025
Taylor said Justice Rebecca Bradley, who said she plans to run next year, "has prioritized a right-wing agenda over keeping the judiciary fair and independent, in my opinion, and she is just not the justice that Wisconsinites deserve and need on the Supreme Court.”
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JR Ross @jrrosswrites.bsky.social · 20/05/2025
'26 SCOWIS news: Appeals Court Judge Chris Taylor, a former Dem lawmaker, today formally launched her bid for state Supreme Court next year, when liberals will look to expand their 4-3 majority. See more in today's AM Update: www.wispolitics.com/2025/tue-am-...
wispolitics.com
TUE AM Update: Taylor launches state Supreme Court bid
Subscribers: Please give us your feedback and get free entry into a WisPolitics event.  Take the short survey here. From WisPolitics ... -- Appeals Court Judge Chris Taylor, a former Dem lawmaker, is ...
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JR Ross @jrrosswrites.bsky.social · 16/05/2025
Hannah Dugan’s supporters have created a legal defense fund to fight what the group calls an “unprecedented attack on the independent judiciary by the federal government" as she faces charges of interfering with immigration officers. See the release: wispolitics.com/2025/hannah-...
wispolitics.com
Hannah Dugan Legal Defense Fund: Defense fund launched
Defending Against the Unprecedented Attack on Independent Judiciary Will Require Significant Resources The Hannah Dugan Legal Defense Fund has been established to defend against the unprecedented atta...
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JR Ross @jrrosswrites.bsky.social · 15/05/2025
Bjt NEWS: LFB today projected the state will finish the '23-25 budget with a more than $4.3 billion surplus -- a slight improvement over its January estimate -- but also now expects lower tax collections over the following two-year period.
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JR Ross @jrrosswrites.bsky.social · 09/05/2025
Challenge with claim '11 House map was a partisan gerrymander is there's evidence undercutting that assertion. The former Paul Ryan aide who took the lead on drawing those lines said in a deposition his boss told him "we need to be fair and we need to try and be bipartisan."
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JR Ross @jrrosswrites.bsky.social · 09/05/2025
There are 2 suits before the court seeking to overturn the maps on 3 issues: *least-change standard now out *districts malapportioned *'11 process to draw map that's foundation for new lines "quintessential partisan gerrymander." www.wispolitics.com/2025/dem-vot...
wispolitics.com
Dem voters asks Wisconsin Supreme Court to overturn congressional maps
Dem voters in two separate suits have asked the state Supreme Court to overturn Wisconsin’s congressional map and put new lines in place for the 2026 election.
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JR Ross @jrrosswrites.bsky.social · 07/05/2025
The guv's office said staff for Evers, Vos, LeMahieu met yesterday to continue talks. LeMahieu says he's wants an in-person meeting with Evers by end of next week to keep budget deliberations on schedule. www.wispolitics.com/2025/evers-a...
wispolitics.com
Evers again insists any tax cut deal be part of budget, wants education funded ‘at every level’
Gov. Tony Evers isn’t backing off his demand that any tax plan he’d sign be included in the state budget, and he wants Republicans to fund education “at every level” to move forward on budget negotiat...
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JR Ross @jrrosswrites.bsky.social · 02/05/2025
Clark County Judge Lyndsey Boon Brunette is passing on a run for state Supreme Court next year, telling WisPolitics in a statement that 2026 “is not the best time to pursue a seat on the state’s highest court.” www.wispolitics.com/2025/clark-c...
wispolitics.com
Clark County judge tells WisPolitics she’s passing on Supreme Court bid in ‘26
Clark County Judge Lyndsey Boon Brunette is passing on a run for state Supreme Court next year, telling WisPolitics in a statement that 2026 “is not the best time to pursue a seat on the state’s highe...
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JR Ross @jrrosswrites.bsky.social · 30/04/2025
'26 guv race nugget: Washington Co Exec Josh Schoemann, who's been considering a run, has a “historic summer kickoff cookout” on Sunday. Spokesperson says he'll talk w/ his friends & neighbors about future of Wisconsin. See more in yesterday's PM Update: www.wispolitics.com/2025/tue-pm-...
wispolitics.com
TUE PM Update: Madison investigation found clerk broke city policies, but not the law in missing 193 absentee ballots
From WisPolitics ... -- The former Madison clerk failed to perform her work duties when local officials missed 193 absentee ballots from the November election and her office didn’t report the issue to...
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JR Ross @jrrosswrites.bsky.social · 23/04/2025
Party news: @sarahgodlewski.bsky.social is running for @wisdems.org 1st vice-chair, telling WisPolitics democracy at stake w/ Trump’s return to power. Campaign says post wouldn't interfere w/ her plans 2 run for re-election as SOS. See more in today's AM Update: www.wispolitics.com/2025/wed-am-...
wispolitics.com
WED AM Update: Godlewski announces bid for WisDems 1st vice chair
From WisPolitics ... -- Secretary of State Sarah Godlewski announced today she is running for first vice-chair of the state Dem Party, saying in a statement to WisPolitics that democracy is at stake w...
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JR Ross @jrrosswrites.bsky.social · 22/04/2025
The bill still faces hurdles in the Assembly, where Speaker Vos said his position has been clear. “I've never supported an expansion of welfare. I can't imagine that I would ever support one, but we have to talk about it as a caucus.” www.wispolitics.com/2025/senate-...
wispolitics.com
Senate approves extending Medicaid coverage to 12 months for new mothers
The state Senate overwhelmingly approved the legislation. But like last session, it continues to face opposition from Assembly Speaker Robin Vos.
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JR Ross @jrrosswrites.bsky.social · 18/04/2025
Quick story on today's ruling. Will be updated. A split state Supreme Court today upheld Dem Gov. Tony Evers’ veto in the 2023-25 budget that wrote into state law for the next four centuries annual increases in how much schools can spend per student. www.wispolitics.com/2025/supreme...
wispolitics.com
Supreme Court upholds Evers’ 400-year education veto
A split state Supreme Court today upheld Dem Gov. Tony Evers’ veto in the 2023-25 budget that wrote into state law for the next four centuries annual increases in how much schools can spend per studen...
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JR Ross @jrrosswrites.bsky.social · 18/04/2025
BREAKING: Split Wisconsin Supreme Court upholds Dem Gov. Tony Ever’s veto in the 2023-25 budget that wrote into state law for the next four centuries annual increases in how much schools can spend per student.
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JR Ross @jrrosswrites.bsky.social · 18/04/2025
GOP legislative leaders, who have pledged to pass a tax cut before taking up the budget, have held off introducing a plan after talks with Gov. Tony Evers on a possible compromise, according to multiple GOP sources. www.wispolitics.com/2025/gop-lea...
wispolitics.com
GOP leaders holding off on tax cut plan following talks with Evers
GOP legislative leaders, who have pledged to pass a tax cut before taking up the budget, have held off introducing a plan after talks with Gov. Tony Evers on a possible compromise, according to multip...
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JR Ross @jrrosswrites.bsky.social · 17/04/2025
The state GOP announced to members that it’s launching a postmortem on the 2025 state Supreme Court race that conservative Brad Schimel lost by 10 points as the party prepares for next year’s contest. www.wispolitics.com/2025/state-g...
wispolitics.com
State GOP launches review of ‘25 Supreme Court race ahead of ‘26 contest
The state GOP announced to members that it’s launching a postmortem on the 2025 state Supreme Court race that conservative Brad Schimel lost by 10 points as the party prepares for next year’s contest.
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JR Ross @jrrosswrites.bsky.social · 15/04/2025
SCOWIS '26 nuggets: Pedro Colon won't run, citing personal reasons. Fellow liberal appeals court Judge Chris Taylor has been "heartened" by encouragement, will have more to say bid coming weeks. See more in yesterday's @wispolitics subscriber products: www.wispolitics.com/category/sub...
wispolitics.com
Subscribers Only Archives
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JR Ross @jrrosswrites.bsky.social · 14/04/2025
Nugget: Bill Berrien, who's been considering run for guv in '26, today announced the Never Out of the Fight PAC to advance conservative policies, help GOP candidates win. Others have launched similar groups ahead of running themselves. See the release: www.wispolitics.com/2025/never-o...
wispolitics.com
Never Out of the Fight PAC: Announcement
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JR Ross @jrrosswrites.bsky.social · 10/04/2025
Already, Devin Remiker has announced he'll run for @wisdems.bsky.social chair this summer: www.wispolitics.com/2025/remiker... And Zepecki says he'll spend the next week talking with others about a possible bid: www.wispolitics.com/2025/zepecki... See more in today's PM Update.
wispolitics.com
Remiker campaign: Announces campaign for WisDems Chair
Remiker has been a part of key victories for Wisconsin Democrats and has served in leadership roles with WisDems, including Executive Director, during victories from 2018 to 2025 CONTACT: press@devinf...
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JR Ross @jrrosswrites.bsky.social · 10/04/2025
Quick story on @benwikler.bsky.social's decision. We reported in January Dem operative Joe Zepecki, 3rd CD Chair William Garcia had been making calls about a bid in case Wikler didn't run. Sen. Kelda Roys also said at time she'd been encouraged to consider. www.wispolitics.com/2025/wikler-...
wispolitics.com
Wikler not seeking reelection as state Dem chair
Ben Wikler, who shepherded the state Dem Party through an unprecedented run of financial success, announced today he won’t seek another two-year term as chair this summer.
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JR Ross @jrrosswrites.bsky.social · 07/04/2025
NEWS: Michael Gableman and the OLR have reached a deal that would suspend the former Supreme Court justice’s law license for three years to settle the discipline case over his conduct during a review of the 2020 election. Now goes to referee in case. SCOWIS will have final say.
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JR Ross @jrrosswrites.bsky.social · 04/04/2025
NEWS: Conservative Justice Rebecca Bradley tells WisPolitics she plans to run for reelection next year to “ensure that there is a voice for the constitution and for the rule of law.” At least 2 liberal appeals court judges are considering bids. See more in today's Report.
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JR Ross @jrrosswrites.bsky.social · 04/04/2025
In a statement, Kaul defended his agency’s actions, saying he was “proud of the extraordinary effort our team put into this case.”
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JR Ross @jrrosswrites.bsky.social · 04/04/2025
A Columbia County judge accused Dem AG Josh Kaul of abusing Wisconsin’s judicial system with his last-minute attempt to prevent Elon Musk from handing out $1 million checks to those who have voted in the spring election. www.wispolitics.com/2025/judge-r...
wispolitics.com
Judge rips Kaul’s effort seeking Musk restraining order as woefully deficient, abuse of courts
A Columbia County judge accused Dem AG Josh Kaul of abusing Wisconsin’s judicial system with his last-minute attempt to prevent Elon Musk from handing out $1 million checks to those who have voted in ...
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JR Ross @jrrosswrites.bsky.social · 03/04/2025
SCOWIS news: Court elects retiring Ann Walsh Bradley as chief justice for two months. She'll be succeeded by fellow liberal Jill Karofsky on July 1. See the release: www.wispolitics.com/2025/wiscons...
wispolitics.com
Wisconsin Supreme Court: Justice Ann Walsh Bradley elected as chief justice
Justice Bradley will finish her 30-year career with a two-month stint as chief, and then will be succeeded by Justice Jill J. Karofsky Madison, Wisconsin (April 3, 2025) – Wisconsin Supreme Court Just...
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JR Ross @jrrosswrites.bsky.social · 02/04/2025
Good morning, Wisconsin. At least 2.337 million of you voted yesterday. Nearly half our voting age population. For perspective, it tops the 2.1 million who voted in April '16 with contested Dem, GOP prez primaries on ballot. AND the 2.2 million voted in the Nov. '10 guv race.
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JR Ross @jrrosswrites.bsky.social · 02/04/2025
And that SCOWIS streak began in '18 as the Wisconsin electorate got a bluer shape of purple in off year elections in the Trump era. When I started doing this 25 years ago, Republicans had the upper hand in spring races. That has completely flipped.
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JR Ross @jrrosswrites.bsky.social · 02/04/2025
This solidifies liberal control of the Wisconsin Supreme Court through at least '28. And that's only if conservatives can defend the seats of Rebecca Bradley in '26 and Annette Ziegler in '27. Conservatives have now lost 4 of past 5 SCOWIS races. www.wispolitics.com/2025/250401s...
wispolitics.com
Crawford beats Schimel in nation’s most expensive court race
Dane County Judge Susan Crawford has secured an open seat on the Wisconsin Supreme Court, solidifying liberal control for at least another three years as she easily won the most expensive judicial rac...
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JR Ross @jrrosswrites.bsky.social · 31/03/2025
Justices Dallet, Karofsky didn't offer a rationale for rejecting recusal motions. Still, Justice Ann Walsh Bradley wrote "rule of necessity overrides recusal in this instance.” Doctrine states a judge can hear a case they shouldn't otherwise if court would be left w/out a quorum.
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JR Ross @jrrosswrites.bsky.social · 31/03/2025
Quick story on this evening's ruling: Supreme Court rejects Kaul request to block Musk from giving $1 million awards to voters www.wispolitics.com/2025/kaul-as...
wispolitics.com
Supreme Court rejects Kaul request to block Musk from giving $1 million awards to voters
A state appeals court today denied a request from AG Josh Kaul for an order barring Elon Musk and his America PAC from paying two Wisconsin voters $1 million each at a Sunday rally as a reward for cas...
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JR Ross @jrrosswrites.bsky.social · 31/03/2025
News: The Wisconsin Supreme Court has rejected Dem AG Josh Kaul's request to block Elon Musk from giving $1 million awards to two voters. The decision came just minutes before his Green Bay rally was to begin.
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JR Ross @jrrosswrites.bsky.social · 31/03/2025
Update: Less than 30 minutes from Elon Musk starting his town hall in Green Bay, no decision yet from the court on Josh Kaul's lawsuit. But Justices Dallet, Karofsky have rejected motions by Musk attorneys seeking their recusals, according to online court records.
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JR Ross @jrrosswrites.bsky.social · 30/03/2025
Having been rebuffed by two courts in his quest, Dem AG Josh Kaul has now asked the state Supreme Court to block Elon Musk and his PAC from giving out $1 million payments this evening to Wisconsinites who have cast ballots in the spring election. www.wispolitics.com/2025/kaul-as...
wispolitics.com
Kaul asks Supreme Court to bar Musk payments to voters
A state appeals court today denied a request from AG Josh Kaul for an order barring Elon Musk and his America PAC from paying two Wisconsin voters $1 million each at a Sunday rally as a reward for cas...
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JR Ross @jrrosswrites.bsky.social · 29/03/2025
While you (and I) were sleeping, Columbia County judge declined to hear AG Josh Kaul's request for an emergency order blocking Elon Musk from paying two Wisconsinites for voting. Kaul has now asked the 4th District for such an order. See our updated story: www.wispolitics.com/2025/kaul-su...
wispolitics.com
Kaul sues to stop Musk, America PAC from giving $1M payments to voters
Dem AG Josh Kaul this afternoon filed a lawsuit in Dane County against Elon Musk and his America PAC seeking to bar them from paying two Wisconsin voters $1 million each at a Sunday rally as a reward ...
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JR Ross @jrrosswrites.bsky.social · 28/03/2025
SCOWIS news: Spending in Wisconsin's Supreme Court race has now eclipsed $100 million, nearly doubling the previous record. See today's WisPolitics Report for an overview of the groups driving that spending and where they've been putting their money.
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JR Ross @jrrosswrites.bsky.social · 28/03/2025
For those of you following today's Elon Musk saga, a statement from AG Josh Kaul: "Based on our understanding of applicable Wisconsin law, we intend to take legal action today to seek a court order to stop this from happening."
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JR Ross @jrrosswrites.bsky.social · 25/03/2025
Supreme Court candidate Susan Crawford outraised conservative rival Brad Schimel more than 2-to-1 during the most recent reporting period, largely thanks to the strength of her individual donor network, a WisPolitics review finds. www.wispolitics.com/2025/crawfor...
wispolitics.com
Crawford outraises Schimel 2-to-1 on strength of individual donations as parties chip in to both
Supreme Court candidate Susan Crawford outraised conservative rival Brad Schimel more than 2-to-1 during the most recent reporting period, largely thanks to the strength of her individual donor networ...
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JR Ross @jrrosswrites.bsky.social · 25/03/2025
SCOWIS fundraising #s: Susan Crawford outraised Brad Schimel more than 2-to-1 during the pre-election period, largely on the strength of her individual donor network. See more in today's AM Update: wispolitics.com/2025/tue-am-... But here are some highlights from latest reports: 1/
wispolitics.com
TUE AM Update: Crawford outraises Schimel 2-to-1 on strength of individual donations as parties chip in to both
From WisPolitics ... -- Supreme Court candidate Susan Crawford outraised conservative rival Brad Schimel more than 2-to-1 during the most recent reporting period, largely thanks to the strength of her...
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JR Ross @jrrosswrites.bsky.social · 24/03/2025
SCOWIS nugget: Elon Musk gave $2 million to the state GOP the same day the party transferred $1.2 million to Brad Schimel. Latest example in race of big donations flowing to parties ahead of transfers to candidates. See more in today's AM Update: www.wispolitics.com/2025/mon-am-...
wispolitics.com
MON AM Update: Crawford raised $17 million in six weeks; state party chairs talk Supreme Court race on ‘UpFront’
From WisPolitics ... -- Liberal Susan Crawford says she raised $17 million over the most recent six-week reporting period as she continues to break fundraising records for a Wisconsin Supreme Court ca...
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JR Ross @jrrosswrites.bsky.social · 24/03/2025
SCOWIS fundraising #s: @crawfordforwi.bsky.social says she raised $17 million in pre-election period, pushing overall haul to record $24 million. Filing deadline for latest reporting period is tomorrow. See the release: www.wispolitics.com/2025/crawfor...
wispolitics.com
Crawford campaign: Facing corrupt Musk onslaught, Crawford campaign smashes national records with historic $24 million raised
MADISON, Wis. – Today, with exactly 8 days left until Election Day and as Elon Musk continues his corrupt onslaught to try to secure a favorable ruling in his company’s lawsuit, Judge Susan Crawford’s...
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JR Ross @jrrosswrites.bsky.social · 13/03/2025
Quick story on tonight's SCOWIS debate. Will be updated. www.wispolitics.com/2025/crawfor...
wispolitics.com
Crawford, Schimel clash over wealthy supporters, judicial fairness in only debate
The two clashed repeatedly in tonight’s debate ahead of the high-stakes election April 1 that will determine ideological control of the state Supreme Court, hitting each other on abortion, their legal...
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JR Ross @jrrosswrites.bsky.social · 12/03/2025
As of yesterday, I'd tracked $33.3 million to support Schimel, $25.5 million to back Cawford. But looking at gross ratings points on broadcast TV, Crawford had the edge. The advantage of most of the TV money being spent by her campaign rather than independent groups.
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JR Ross @jrrosswrites.bsky.social · 12/03/2025
Nearly $59 million has been dropped on the race between Susan Crawford and Brad Schimel, breaking the previous record three weeks ahead of voters deciding ideological control of Wisconsin’s Supreme Court, according to a WisPolitics tally. www.wispolitics.com/2025/wispoli...
wispolitics.com
WisPolitics tally shows record $59 million dropped on Supreme Court race so far
Nearly $59 million has been dropped on the race between Susan Crawford and Brad Schimel, breaking the previous record three weeks ahead of voters deciding ideological control of Wisconsin’s Supreme Co...
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JR Ross @jrrosswrites.bsky.social · 07/03/2025
I tracked a record $56 million in spending on Wisconsin's '23 Supreme Court race. I've tallied $48.6 million in the '25 race. And there's still three weeks to go. See more on the spending in today's WisPolitics Report.
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JR Ross @jrrosswrites.bsky.social · 05/03/2025
With Marquette Law poll of Wisconsin voters in '25 about to drop, some reminders about Donald Trump's past numbers. Fav-unfav split: 43%-57% in Oct. 24, '24 poll Job approval: 47%-52% in Oct. 25, '20 poll
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