A leader in a statewide pro-life group said depending on who wins the current judicial elections in Wisconsin, the election could tip the scales of the high court toward more liberal rulings — a major factor in determining whether or not the state’s abortion ban will remain in place or be overturned, as several lawmakers are currently attempting to do.
“The upcoming spring election will determine the balance of the Wisconsin Supreme Court and will likely determine the fate of not only 940.04 but pro-life laws in Wisconsin for years to come,” Gracie Skogman, legislative and public affairs director for Wisconsin Right to Life, told the National Catholic Register.
Wisconsin Right to Life in January endorsed candidates Dorow and Kelly, citing their “integrity, honesty, and shared belief that the role of the judiciary is not to legislate but to interpret laws and apply them as written.”
“It is vital that the pro-life vote in Wisconsin is activated to vote in this election, as lives are truly on the line … Many voters feel burned out after the high stakes of last fall’s midterms, and our challenge is to convey the significance of this judicial election. In many ways, it may be far more impactful to pro-life policy in our state than the fall elections were,” Skogman continued.
The election is not partisan, but Mitchell and Protasiewicz both have signaled support for abortion, with Mitchell described as a supporter of “reproductive rights” and Protasiewicz saying in a televised ad that she believes “in a woman’s freedom to make her own decision on abortion.”
Skogman explained that the Wisconsin Legislature has a robust pro-life majority in both houses, and many lawmakers have signaled a willingness to work on further pro-life legislation aimed at supporting women and their preborn children, such as funding for pregnancy resource centers. In contrast, Democratic Gov. Tony Evers has publicly signaled that he will not sign any legislation that further enshrines 940.04, even legislation that would add rape and incest exceptions, creating a deadlock. Democrats had pushed to get an abortion referendum on the April ballot, but Republicans managed to block that effort.
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