Return to Sender: Dan Kelly’s State Court Campaign Lists Same Address as Republican Party of Wisconsin

MADISON, Wis. — State Supreme Court candidate Dan Kelly’s partisanship is on full display as his campaign lists the Republican Party of Wisconsin as the return address for the nomination papers needed to get him on the Spring 2020 election ballot. One Wisconsin Now Deputy Director Mike Browne noted Kelly’s partisan inclinations continue a pattern seen with previous conservative court candidates, whose largest individual campaign contributor was the Republican Party of Wisconsin.

“Dan Kelly has toed the line for Republicans and the right wing since he’s been on the state Supreme Court,” commented Browne. “Now Dan Kelly is showing his partisanship on the campaign trail, right down to sharing an address with the Republican Party of Wisconsin.”

In order to be placed on the ballot, candidates for public office must collect a specified number of signatures on nomination papers. According to Kelly’s campaign, signature collectors are directed to return their forms to 148 E. Johnson Street in Madison. The address of the Republican Party of Wisconsin headquarters is also 148 E. Johnson St., an office building they own and occupy blocks from the State Capitol

In recent races for the Wisconsin Supreme Court, the Republican Party of Wisconsin has been the single largest individual contributor donating directly to conservative candidates’ campaigns. According to campaign finance filings, conservative candidate Brian Hagedorn in 2019 snagged over $156,000 while Michael Screnock was larded with over $345,000 in 2018 and Rebecca Bradley accepted over $72,000 in 2016.