New Supreme Court Pick Rebecca Bradley on the Job…Campaigning

MADISON, Wis. — Mere days after her crony appointment by Gov. Scott Walker to the State Supreme Court, inexperienced jurist Rebecca Bradley wasn’t hitting the books to get up to speed on her new job, she was hitting the campaign trail. Bradley was in attendance at a right wing gathering in Ozaukee County hosted by Christian Leadership and the American Israel Public Affairs Committee and featuring GOP U.S. House Representative Glenn Grothman, State Senator Duey Stroebel.

“Rebecca Bradley’s appointment to the state high court was about only one thing, political advantage,” commented One Wisconsin Now Deputy Director Mike Browne. “And she’s all in with that scheme already out hitting the campaign trail instead of getting up to speed on her new job.”

Bradley’s career is closely tied to her status as a crony of Gov. Scott Walker and with her most recent appointment she continues to advance via Walker appointment. She was first tabbed by Walker as a county judge in late 2012, advancing to the appeals court via Walker appointment in mid- 2015 and now, mere months later, ascending to the state’s highest court.

In addition Bradley’s only campaign for judge in 2013 was chaired by Michael Grebe, head of the right wing Bradley Foundation and chair of Walker’s gubernatorial and presidential campaigns. The campaign was also overseen by a former Walker administration employee.

Browne noted that the fix was in for Bradley’s appointment when Gov. Walker publicly telegraphed his intentions to appoint already the announced high court candidate throughout an abbreviated “application process.” As a result there were only three applicants, including Bradley to fill the vacancy created by the unexpected passing of respected Justice Patrick Crooks. Bradley was so confident of her selection to the bench she registered the campaign website “justicebradley.com” before the application period even closed.

In a media recent interview, Bradley also openly invited outside special interests groups like the Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce to spend money on her behalf as she seeks election to the court in 2016. Walker and his allies have already spent an estimated $10 million in recent years to elect a majority block of right wing justices to the state Supreme Court.

Browne concluded, “Rebecca Bradley has shown she is focused not on doing her job but winning an election. How can we trust she’ll make decisions based on the law instead of what’s best for Gov. Walker and the special interests when mere days into the job she’s already on the campaign trail and inviting their spending on her behalf?”