In the high-stakes race for the Wisconsin Supreme Court, a campaign advertisement for candidate Brad Schimel has raised eyebrows. The ad, which features a woman depicted as a local rape survivor, actually uses stock footage from Italy, showcasing a model instead of a real survivor.
Background on the Candidates
Brad Schimel, who has served as a judge on the Wisconsin Circuit Court since 2019, is vying for a seat against Dane County Circuit Court Judge Susan Crawford. The election, set for April 1, could potentially shift the ideological balance of the court.
Details of the Controversial Ad
The advertisement in question, titled “Mission Statement,” features Schimel speaking about his contributions to public safety, particularly his work on clearing a backlog of untested rape kits in Wisconsin. As Schimel states, “[I led] the sexual assault kit initiative, clearing 4,000 backlogged tests so survivors could finally get justice,” a somber image of a woman is shown. This footage is sourced from Pond5, a platform offering stock media, and originates from an Italian creator.
Use of Stock Footage in Campaigns
The use of foreign stock footage is not new for Schimel’s campaign. Previous ads, such as “Law School” and “Coddling Criminals,” included stock images from Ukraine and Thailand, respectively. Notably, these ads lack disclaimers clarifying the use of actors or stock footage.
Scrutiny Over Rape Kit Backlog
Schimel’s past efforts to address the rape kit backlog have come under scrutiny. Serving as Attorney General of Wisconsin from 2015 to 2019, he reportedly cleared only nine of 6,000 backlogged kits in his first two years. Criticism from Susan Crawford suggests that Schimel prioritized the issue only when facing reelection.
Implications of the Election
The outcome of the upcoming election is significant, as it will determine the future ideological direction of the Wisconsin Supreme Court. This race is projected to be the most expensive state court race in U.S. history.
A request for comment from Schimel’s campaign went unanswered.
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