Attorney General Candidate Brad Schimel’s Dystopian Democracy

MADISON, Wis. — Does Republican candidate for the job of top cop in the state, Brad Schimel, view the buying and selling of influence, not protecting the rights of the people of Wisconsin as the “essence of representative democracy”? That’s the case based on Attorney General candidate and Waukesha County District Attorney Brad Schimel’s own words in an email responding to One Wisconsin Now’s request he investigate the circumstances surrounding legislation introduced by State Rep. Joel Kleefisch to lower the child support payments of his millionaire campaign contributor.

One Wisconsin Now Executive Director Scot Ross said, “Brad Schimel has come right out and said it, he has no problem with economic elites buying influence and politicians selling it in the state of Wisconsin. That’s a shocking and disappointing statement from a person who wants to be the top law enforcement official in the state of Wisconsin.”

In an email response to a request that he investigate questionable circumstances regarding the introduction of a bill by Waukesha County GOP Rep. Joel Kleefisch to lower the child support payments of millionaire GOP campaign contributor Michael Eisenga Schimel replied, “Why can’t a legislator press for legislation that benefits a person who has contributed to their campaign?  Isn’t that the essence of representative government?”

Schimel went on to write that, “Once the individual is convinced that the particular official will act a certain way, why can’t that citizen make otherwise legal campaign contributions?”

Ross commented, “If Brad Schimel is willing to make statements like this in his capacity as District Attorney to a member of the public, one can only imagine what he’s telling campaign donors behind closed doors.”

Recent news reports reveal Schimel is as antagonistic towards the rights of average Wisconsinites as he is supportive of big campaign donors seeking to buy political influence. He’s said if he were Attorney General he would sue to overturn marriage equality, seek to limit women’s access to comprehensive health care services and impose a racist voter ID law that would disenfranchise an estimated 300,000 otherwise legal voters.

“The people of Wisconsin believe the ‘essence of democracy’ is a government that protects their rights. Not one that takes them away while encouraging the buying and selling of official action to economic elites — like a millionaire that doesn’t like paying his child support,” concluded Ross.

The Schimel campaign is hosting a fundraising lunch tomorrow at the exclusive University Club of Milwaukee featuring Gov. Walker.