The Sconi

Wisconsin Family Action has said that electing Brad Schimel to the Wisconsin Supreme Court is "critical for the school choice movement." The group made this assertion in a press release dated January 14.

"Liberal Susan Crawford will be taking on conservative Brad Schimel for an open seat due to the retirement of Justice Ann Walsh Bradley," said Family Action. "This election will be the last chance for conservatives to regain control of the Court until 2028. It is critical for the school choice movement that Circuit Court Judge Brad Schimel becomes Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Brad Schimel."

According to Wisconsin Family Action, the upcoming Wisconsin Supreme Court race could significantly impact school choice policies in the state. The court has previously ruled on education funding and voucher program disputes, making its ideological balance crucial. Should Schimel secure a victory, it may result in the protection and expansion of school choice initiatives. Conversely, a liberal shift could pose challenges to voucher programs and charter school funding.

Schimel, who is a former Wisconsin Attorney General and currently serves as a Waukesha County Circuit Court judge, has expressed concerns about his opponent's potential impact on school choice. According to Wisconsin Independent, he said that if Crawford is elected, it might lead to the elimination of school choice in Wisconsin. His campaign website warns that "If the left wins in April they will ... eliminate school choice ... overturn Right to Work, remove voter ID."

School choice in Wisconsin includes voucher programs both in Milwaukee and statewide. These have faced legal scrutiny over issues such as funding distribution and religious school participation, according to the New Yorker. Opponents argue that these programs drain resources from public schools, while supporters view them as essential for educational freedom. The future composition of the Wisconsin Supreme Court following the election will likely influence decisions on these legal matters.

President Trump has publicly voiced his support for school choice in Wisconsin. As reported by the New York Post, during a campaign rally in Milwaukee on October 1, 2024, he described school choice as "the civil-rights issue of our age," citing Milwaukee's longstanding private school-choice program that benefits approximately 30,000 students. He highlighted positive outcomes such as improved test scores, increased college enrollment rates, and reduced crime rates.

Wisconsin Family Action is a non-profit organization advocating for family values within public policy frameworks.