What Else Has Michael Screnock Been Promising to Get Right-Wing Endorsements?

MADISON, Wis. — Only after embarrassing headlines has state high court candidate Michael Screnock’s campaign released an email it said it sent the National Rifle Association (NRA) to secure the gun lobby’s endorsement. One Wisconsin Now Research Director Joanna Beilman-Dulin noted Screnock has also been endorsed by other extreme right-wing groups, including organizations opposing birth control and marriage equality, and called on Screnock’s campaign to come clean on what it’s said to snag their backing.

“The NRA isn’t the only right-wing group endorsing Mike Screnock’s campaign,” said Beilman-Dulin. “He needs to come clean with the voters and tell them if he’s vowed to support the other groups’ extreme agendas, as the NRA said he’s done for them.”

According to a mailing to “Wisconsin NRA members” just prior to the February primary election, obtained by One Wisconsin Now, the gun lobby declared Screnock had, “vowed to protect” firearms and “committed” to their agenda. After refusing to release the letter required by the NRA to be considered for their endorsement, Screnock’s campaign provided the media with what it said was the text of an email sent to the gun lobby seeking its support.

Screnock’s campaign for the Wisconsin Supreme Court has also been endorsed by Pro-Life Wisconsin, a group that advertises on its website their desire to outlaw all birth control and to amend the state constitution to prohibit all abortions, even in cases of rape or incest or to save the life of the mother.

The anti-LGBTQ Wisconsin Family Action has also weighed in with support for Screnock. The group believes that a decision of the United States Supreme Court prohibiting marriage discrimination was “legislating from the bench.” This group that believes some people should be less than equal before the law based solely on who they love, touts Screnock as, “the kind of person we need on the Supreme Court.”

Beilman-Dulin noted Screnock has a personal history of extremism these groups may find appealing. Taking matters into his own hands, he sought to impose his personal beliefs on women on multiple occasions, being twice arrested for physically preventing women from entering a health care clinic. Screnock was also cited for giving law enforcement a false name when taken into custody.

She concluded, “Groups supporting Mike Screnock have agendas that are far out of the mainstream, supporting guns in schools, discrimination and total bans on abortion and birth control. They believe he will support their agendas, and we deserve to know why.”