Judge Susan Crawford on New Developments in Wisconsin Supreme Court Race

Summary

Summary of "Judge Susan Crawford on New Developments in Wisconsin Supreme Court Race" – The MeidasTouch Podcast

Podcast Information:

• Title: The MeidasTouch Podcast
• Host/Author: MeidasTouch Network (Ben, Brett, and Jordy Meiselas)
• Episode Title: Judge Susan Crawford on New Developments in Wisconsin Supreme Court Race
• Release Date: March 23, 2025

Introduction

In this compelling episode of The MeidasTouch Podcast, the Meiselas brothers—Ben, Brett, and Jordy—navigate the heated and pivotal race for the Wisconsin Supreme Court. The episode features an in-depth discussion with Judge Susan Crawford, the Democratic candidate challenging Republican nominee Brad Schimmel. The conversation unpacks recent controversies surrounding Schimmel, shedding light on his political affiliations, personal conduct, and potential impact on the judicial landscape in Wisconsin.

Exposing Brad Schimmel's Controversial Actions

Ben begins by unveiling alarming information about Brad Schimmel, highlighting his overt affiliations with far-right MAGA movements and attempts to mask his political leanings.

Ben [02:50]: "Some new horrifying information has emerged about the Republican candidate for the Supreme Court seat in Wisconsin that's going to decide the balance of power on the Wisconsin Supreme Court."

He references a report by Axios revealing that Elon Musk's PAC is offering $100 to Wisconsin voters to oppose "activist judges," suggesting an orchestrated effort to influence judicial outcomes.

Ben [03:10]: "As our editor in chief Ron Philipkowski says, there goes Musk again. He's trying to buy those votes again."

Delving deeper, Ben uncovers Schimmel's participation in Trump boat parades, where he donned shirts declaring his support for Trump, contradicting his claims of non-partisanship.

Ben [03:50]: "He would go to those Trump boat parades and he would wear shirts like this one that says, 'Jesus is my savior, but Trump is my president.'"

Analyzing Schimmel's Personal Conduct

The brothers present a disturbing anecdote from Schimmel, where he describes a confrontational interaction with his eight-year-old daughter, raising questions about his temperament and suitability for a judicial role.

Brad Schimmel [04:59]: "I just psychologically beat the daylights out of an 8-year-old in the back seat."

Judge Susan Crawford responds to this revelation, condemning Schimmel's approach and highlighting the lack of empathy and judicial temperament required for a Supreme Court justice.

Judge Susan Crawford [06:42]: "He wants to be on the court to push a partisan agenda... that's really not what the court's for."

Scrutinizing Schimmel's Judicial Philosophy

The podcast further examines Schimmel's views on sensitive issues such as same-sex marriage and interracial marriage, uncovering his preference for traditional definitions and his stance on upholding potentially outdated laws.

Brad Schimmel [09:56]: "My personal view is I favor traditional marriage. One man, one woman."

Brad Schimmel [10:47]: "Even if it's something that we might look back in the future as absurd or something."

Judge Crawford emphasizes the importance of impartiality and the judiciary's role in protecting constitutional rights, contrasting it with Schimmel's apparent willingness to support partisan and possibly unconstitutional measures.

Judge Susan Crawford [12:04]: "Brad Schimmel is somebody who won't take a stand for the people of Wisconsin under our Constitution."

The Broader Implications for Wisconsin's Judiciary

Ben articulates fears that Schimmel's election could lead to a judiciary sympathetic to authoritarianism, referencing controversial actions by political figures like Howard Lutnick and their potential to undermine democratic institutions.

Ben [13:00]: "Is this guy going to be a rubber stamp for authoritarianism or is he going to defend the people of Wisconsin?"

Judge Crawford argues that Schimmel's alignment with figures like Trump and Musk indicates a propensity to prioritize partisan agendas over fair and impartial justice.

Judge Susan Crawford [13:30]: "We need a court that's going to apply the laws, interpret the laws fairly and impartially and uphold the rights of people in Wisconsin under our Constitution."

Call to Action and Voter Encouragement

In the concluding segments, Judge Crawford urges Wisconsin voters to prioritize integrity and impartiality in their judicial selections, emphasizing the critical nature of this Supreme Court race.

Judge Susan Crawford [14:18]: "Any Wisconsinites out there, I'd urge you to vote now. We just had a snowstorm here a couple of days ago... so don't wait."

Ben reinforces the urgency and importance of voting, encouraging listeners to stay informed and participate actively in the democratic process.

Ben [14:52]: "Very big race there in Wisconsin with national implications as well. We appreciate everything you're doing."

Notable Quotes

• Ben [02:50]: "Some new horrifying information has emerged about the Republican candidate for the Supreme Court seat in Wisconsin..."
• Brad Schimmel [04:59]: "I just psychologically beat the daylights out of an 8-year-old in the back seat."
• Judge Susan Crawford [06:42]: "He wants to be on the court to push a partisan agenda... that's really not what the court's for."
• Brad Schimmel [09:56]: "My personal view is I favor traditional marriage. One man, one woman."
• Judge Susan Crawford [12:04]: "Brad Schimmel is somebody who won't take a stand for the people of Wisconsin under our Constitution."
• Ben [13:00]: "Is this guy going to be a rubber stamp for authoritarianism or is he going to defend the people of Wisconsin?"
• Judge Susan Crawford [14:18]: "Any Wisconsinites out there, I'd urge you to vote now..."

Conclusion

This episode of The MeidasTouch Podcast provides a thorough examination of the contentious Wisconsin Supreme Court race, spotlighting Brad Schimmel's controversial behaviors and Judge Susan Crawford's commitment to upholding judicial integrity. Through engaging brotherly banter and incisive analysis, the podcast equips listeners with the critical information needed to make informed voting decisions. Judge Crawford emerges as a staunch defender of democracy and constitutional rights, positioning herself as a formidable opponent to Schimmel's partisan approach.

Listeners are encouraged to subscribe to The MeidasTouch Podcast for more insightful discussions and to stay updated with their comprehensive coverage of political developments.

Transcript

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[Ben]

Some new horrifying information has emerged about the Republican candidate for the Supreme Court seat in Wisconsin that's going to decide the balance of power on the Wisconsin Supreme Court. The far right wing Doge MAGA candidate, a guy by the name of Brad Schimmel, he's been trying to pretend that he's not Doge, that he's not maga, that he's not Trumpy. He's trying to run away from it. So we here at the Midas Touch Network, of course, first saw this published by Axios, that Elon Musk's PAC is offering $100 to Wisconsin voters in a pitch against, quote, activist judges. As our editor in chief Ron Philipkowski says, there goes Musk again. He's trying to buy those votes again. And then it became clear to us that really Elon Musk was trying to dojify Wisconsin. So we had to look deeper here at the Midas Touch Network into Brad Schimmel's past, look at his social media posts, and we found this. While he claims he's not a partisan, this is what he was doing. He would go to those Trump boat parades and he would wear shirts like this one that says, Jesus is my savior, but Trump is my president. And here's the thing with someone like this, too. It's like, if you're Trumpy, then just say it. Just say you're Trumpy and let the voters ultimately decide that you're a Trumpy Doge guy. And if they want to vote for getting rid of Social Security and Medicaid, if they're into all that stuff, you're their guy, I guess, you know, on the court. Then we did some more digging into some speeches that were given by Schimmel, and some kind of just scary and weird stuff came up, like this one right here where Schimmel tells this story while he's speaking in front of this group about how he psychologically beat the daylights out of an 8 year old in the backseat. I think he's talking about, you know, his daughter. You can, you can feel the cringe level of the audience as he's telling this bizarre story. Play this clip.

[Brad Schimmel]

And she reminded me of a story that I cannot deny. We had picked up our oldest Mackenzie at a friend's house and there'd been a fib. I don't know what the fib was anymore, but she had told a fib about something and she was denying that she had fibbed. So this car ride home, I'm going to get her on the witness stand. So she's in the backseat. I adjusted the mirror so I'm looking right at her and she's looking right at me. And every time she looks away, I said, look at me. And I don't think I looked at the road the whole way. And I got her back there and I'm grilling her about this and I'm rebutting every fib. She piles on the fib. And I got a Perry Mason moment right there in my car. She broke down. I did it, I did it, I did it and I won my trial. She is next witness. You know, rest my case. Well, she's in the back seat. She is just crying miserably. My wife's looking at me like I'm a monster. And I was proud of myself. I just beat up on it. She was probably eight. I just beat. I just psychologically beat the daylights out of an 8 year old in the back seat. That was.

[Ben]

I want to bring in Dane County Circuit Court judge, Judge Susan Crawford, who is running against Schimmel in this seat. We have a law and order, pro democracy judge here. What do you make of all of this, of these recent, these videos from his past that have emerged?

[Judge Susan Crawford]

Well, you know, that was a really sad story and just, you know, makes your heart break for that child. But I think, you know, what we're hearing is a lot more of what Brad Schimmel says when he's in private, what he says when he believes he's in a group of his political allies versus what he'll say on a broader stage. When he thought. When he thinks he's talking to a general audience. It has happened over and over in this campaign.

[Ben]

What's your message to the people of Wisconsin, though? Who, you know, don't know? I mean, you know, some people, like, wait a minute, Supreme Court races, people run for this seat. You know, a lot of people don't even know like, like that. I know a lot of people in Wisconsin are paying attention when it happens in your state. They start to pay attention, often closer. And I know that people are starting to vote already. So what do you say to them?

[Judge Susan Crawford]

Listen to what he says. You know, listen to his words. And he's talked about begging on his knees for campaign contributions, wearing out his knee pads. He's saying that he wants to be on the court to be part of Donald Trump's support network. You know, he, you just got to listen to what the guy says. He wants to be on the court to push a partisan agenda. He wants to be there to support Elon Musk and to support Donald Trump and Doge, and that's really not what the court's for. And I've said over and over, I'm, I want to be on the court to protect the people of Wisconsin under our constitution and laws. Bradshaw's got a whole different agenda.

[Ben]

Yeah, I mean, when, when you and I speak, it's always speaking about, I'm law and order. I'm going to enforce the law. I'm going to enforce our state's constitution, United States constitution. When, when he goes on podcast, he goes to, like the, you know, the maga bro style podcast. And, and he tells that same story. Like, he, that story. He, like, loves that story. Here's another one that we unearthed, a second clip of Schimmel on one of these bro podcasts or whatever they call them, saying his wife told him he shut her and his daughters out. And I didn't want to talk to you. What, what is he even, what is he even talking about? Here, play this clip.

[Brad Schimmel]

And, and you're kind of quiet about it. You don't ever talk about your work. You kind of shut us out. You come home from work and you don't talk to anybody for a while. And she said, you don't really talk to your daughters. You kind of interrogate your daughters. And I was like, wow, maybe I'm, maybe I'm in too deep. Maybe I need to take a step back.

[Ben]

Like, it's a choice to go on a podcast like that. And it's, it's creep. It's creepy.

[Judge Susan Crawford]

It is, right? Yeah. I mean, I don't even know what to say about it.

[Ben]

You know, I'll move on to the next topic. Let me show you this other. Let me show you this other clip right here, though. And, and, and as serious, I mean, horrific stuff right here. This is a clip that we unearthed where he said that he's personally against marriage equality. Let me show you this one.

[Judge Susan Crawford]

I want to talk about one of the hot button issues, and that, of course, is same sex marriage. How does Brad Schimmel personally feel about same sex marriage?

[Brad Schimmel]

Okay, I'm going to open up here by making something very clear. As I do my job as attorney general, my personal view on that issue has no business entering into the equation. My job as the state's lawyer is to defend Wisconsin's law until a court says it's, until the Supreme Court says it's unconstitutional or the people change it. So you start with that. But my view is I favor traditional marriage. One man, one woman. That's my personal view in my personal life, and that's how I voted when the marriage amendment was on the ballot.

[Ben]

And, judge, let me show you one more right here where he said he would have defended a ban on interracial marriage. Here, let me show this to you. But if you had been attorney general.

[Judge Susan Crawford]

In, say, the 1950s in a state.

[Ben]

That did not allow interracial marriage, do.

[Judge Susan Crawford]

You think the proper role of an.

[Ben]

Attorney general then was to not put.

[Judge Susan Crawford]

Himself or herself into the mix and say, this is wrong?

[Brad Schimmel]

Even it is. And, and, and I understand the argument.

[Judge Susan Crawford]

Your job is to uphold the law.

[Ben]

Even if it's something that we might look back in the future as absurd or something.

[Brad Schimmel]

Well, it might be distasteful to me. Okay, but that's, but.

[Ben]

Right. I appreciate your answer.

[Brad Schimmel]

I, I've got to stay consistent with that. As the state's lawyer, I, it's not my job to pick and choose.

[Ben]

What do you make of all those clips that I shared with you?

[Judge Susan Crawford]

Well, this is somebody who won't take a stand to protect the people of Wisconsin under our Constitution. He is saying that in a number of different ways, but that's, that's what his position was. And, you know, there have been cases in the past where attorneys general, faced with a clearly unconstitutional law, have said, I cannot defend this. And in some of those instances, the state's governor has, has gone on to find a different lawyer to defend the laws or, or the law is conceded as unconstitutional. But, you know, Brad Chimel is somebody who won't take a stand for the people of Wisconsin.

[Ben]

You know, and I think the big fear right now is as Doge is taking a wrecking ball on people's lives. I just saw Donald Trump's Commerce Secretary, Howard Lutnick, kind of making fun and mocking the concept. I think he said, so what if your Social Security check comes in late? He goes, if you complain that it comes in late, you're probably the fraudster direct quote that he said. So as people in Wisconsin hear this, they see Doge firing these veterans. They hear about people potentially unconstitutionally being kidnapped and sent to concentration camps in El Salvador. And they think about someone like a Schimmel. And I think they're asking, is this guy going to be a rubber stamp for authoritarianism or is he going to defend the people of Wisconsin? What's your closing argument to the people of Wisconsin?

[Judge Susan Crawford]

He is. He has basically said he wants to be a rubber stamp. He said he wants to be part of Trump support network and Musk's. Elon Musk has paid canvassers going out around the state saying we need Brad Schimmel to support the Trump agenda. And, you know, he is aiming to be a wing of the Trump administration from the Wisconsin Supreme Court. It's not what the role of the court is. And, you know, so I would say even to people who maybe like Donald Trump, like what he's doing in Washington, D.C. and even people who think that Elon Musk might be doing some good out there, what do we need in the Wisconsin Supreme Court? We need a court that's going to apply the laws, interpret the laws fairly and impartially and uphold the rights of people in Wisconsin under our Constitution. We don't need somebody who's going to rubber stamp everything that, you know, the Trump administration is doing or even anything that is happening in the state of Wisconsin. It's just not the role of the court judge.

[Ben]

Where can people find out more information about you? I know the last day to vote is April 1st, but right now, voting is, voting's taking place right now. Where can people find out more information if they want to learn about you and your background?

[Judge Susan Crawford]

Yeah, they can check out my campaign website, which is crawford4w I.com so crawford f o r w I.com and any Wisconsinites out there, I'd urge you to vote now. We just had a snowstorm here a couple of days ago where it was really rough on the road. So don't wait. We can have spring snowstorms. Get, get the job done and cast your ballot today.

[Ben]

Judge Susan Crawford running for Wisconsin Supreme Court. Very big race there in Wisconsin with national implications as well. We appreciate everything you're doing.

[Judge Susan Crawford]

Thanks so much, Ben.

[Ben]

Everybody hit subscribe. Let's get to 5 million subscribers. Can't get enough Midas. Check out the Midas+ substack for ad. Free articles, reports, podcasts, daily recaps from Ron Filipkowski and more. Sign up for free [e-mail].

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