It’s Dallet versus Screnock in the April 3 Supreme Court race

Saulk County Circuit Court Judge Michael Screnock, whose campaign was heavily funded by the Republican Party and rich right-wing groups, won yesterday’s three-way primary election for the Wisconsin Supreme Court.

Screnock received 46 percent of the percent of the votes cast in a low-turnout election that still attracted more participation than expected, especially given the poor weather.

Special interests shoveled $1 million into Screnock’s campaign. Republicans, especially on the religious right, always swamp Democratic voters in non-presidential elections. In Screnock, they had a particularly attractive candidate: He was twice arrested during anti-abortion protests.

The corporate right and the Republican Party are indebted to Screnock for helping to create the controversial gerrymandered map of the state’s political districts, which is under review by the U.S. Supreme Court.

As an attorney, Screnock also helped to defend Walker’s union-busting law Act 10.

Nevertheless, the two Democratic candidates in the race, both progressives, zipped past Screnock with a combined 54 percent of the votes cast.

Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Rebecca Dallet received 36 percent of the vote, earning her a position to square off against Screnock in the April 3 general election.

Madison attorney Tim Burns was eliminated from that race yesterday after finishing third in the primary, with 18 percent of the vote. His campaign was more overtly political than the others and received the least financial support.

Dallet was by far the most experienced candidate in the race, having served on the bench for a decade after spending 11 years as a prosecutor.

Screnock, on the other hand, is a judicial newcomer. In what’s become a pattern of fast-tracking judicial candidates who will support him and Big Money interests, Walker appointed Screnock to the bench fewer than three years ago. The appointment allows Screnock to claim judicial experience.

Despite the combined victory of the more liberal candidates, recent Wisconsin judicial elections have proven that’s not an accurate barometer of what will happen in the general election.

Screnock’s campaign will be undergirded by millions of dollars from Koch-brother dark money groups, the Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce, and wealthy Republican activists.

To win, Dallet must build on the momentum that Democrats have shown thus far this year in knocking off special-interest conservatives.

And, even if Dallet does win, the political balance of the court will remain unchanged. The court now has a 5-2 right-wing majority. The winner of this year’s Supreme Court election will replace Republican Michael Gableman, who’s not seeking re-election.  If Dallet prevails, the conservatives would maintain a 4-3 majority.

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