Candidate for Wisconsin Supreme Court, Judge Janet Protasiewicz | Janet for Justice/Facebook
Candidate for Wisconsin Supreme Court, Judge Janet Protasiewicz | Janet for Justice/Facebook
Abortion has been at the heart of the race for Wisconsin Supreme Court between Judge Janet Protasiewicz and former Justice Dan Kelly. Several national abortion rights groups have publicly endorsed Protasiewicz for the open seat on the court.
“Based on the statements Protasiewicz has made throughout this campaign, the Constitution and the laws won’t stop her from ruling based on the whims of her own flawed judgment in order to carry out Planned Parenthood’s agenda to eliminate parental rights for the sake of abortion on demand,” Women Speak Out PAC's Director of State Public Affairs Kelsey Pritchard said in a statement.
Planned Parenthood Action endorsed Protasiewicz for the open seat on the court, as they feel she will best represent their ideals.
Planned Parenthood opposes any bans on abortions, including the 15- and 20-week laws that many states have in place, or have put in place after the Dobbs decision that effectively ended Roe v. Wade.
During the debate over the 2022 federal budget, Planned Parenthood has advocated for more taxpayer funding for “much-needed new investments in sexual and reproductive health.”
On its website, Planned Parenthood offers resources for teens under 18 to apply for a "judicial bypass" when seeking an abortion. A "judicial bypass" grants teens in states with parental involvement laws permission from a judge to get an abortion without parental consent or notification.
The Wisconsin chapter of Planned Parenthood has hosted several events to engage activists to canvass for and support Protasiewicz.
Uncharacteristically for a candidate for the Supreme Court, Protasiewicz has been outspoken about her position and personal opinions on abortion, AP News reported.
Jim Dick, a spokesman for Dan Kelly, criticized Protasiewicz for inserting her personal values into her exercise of the law.
“Her promise to put her thumb on the scale of justice to achieve her preferred outcomes is offensive to the very idea of a written constitution, and it breaks faith with the people of Wisconsin who insist that their justices apply the law, not their personal preferences,” Dick said in a statement.
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