Judge in Wisconsin Supreme Court race pushes back on soft-on-crime image

Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Janet Protasiewicz has been working hard to shatter her “soft-on-crime” reputation.

As a candidate in the tight race for a spot on the Wisconsin state Supreme Court, Protasiewicz is being targeted by conservatives who accuse her of being too lenient in her sentencing, and it seems her nickname, “No Jail Janet” has stuck. “They make it seem like she lets murderers and rapists off scot-free,” said Wisconsinite Christian McGregor.

The stakes are high for Protasiewicz, whose ideological position is more liberal, to win a direct hand in shaping Wisconsin policy for the long haul by winning this race. However, previous 4-3 control held by conservatives for the last 10 years could be challenged if she defeats former Justice Dan Kelly, a conservative competitor.

In an attempt to paint Kelly as a threat to women’s rights and a staunch supporter of former President Donald Trump’s attempt to overturn the 2020 presidential elections, her backers label Protasiewicz as a judge who puts people in danger due to her leniency toward violent criminals.

Recently, Protasiewicz’s campaign has deemed an advertisement paid for by outside groups who support Kelly for defaming campaign purposes after the victim of a rape featured in the advertisement alleged being coerced to do so, and the ad contained misleading and false information. Kelly supporters have reportedly spent millions of dollars spreading “disgusting lies” about her, and this has prompted her backers to call for the false ads to be removed immediately.

Protasiewicz, who knows that such a high-stakes campaign can be daunting, sees an opportunity to bring back change and a sense of common sense back to the Supreme Court. As an outspoken advocate for several issues, Protasiewicz has been accused of being partisan, being vocal about her support for abortion and LGBT causes, and calling the state’s legislative maps “rigged.” But despite her liberal leaning, she says, if elected to the state Supreme Court, she will “follow the law and serve the people of the state of Wisconsin to the best of my ability.”

Janet, aged 60, was born on the south side of Milwaukee and raised by two teachers. She majored in education at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and received her bachelor’s degree in 1985. Three years later, she earned her law degree from Marquette University Law School. She then landed a job at the Milwaukee County District Attorney’s office and worked there for the next 26 years, working as an assistant district attorney, arguing cases before the Wisconsin Supreme Court.

Recognized throughout the state, and recipient of several awards, including the Women in the Law Women of Influence Award, which celebrates women that have significant impacts in the legal profession. Protasiewicz acknowledges that if elected to the Supreme Court, she has the responsibility to “follow the law and serve the people of the state of Wisconsin to the best of [her] ability.”

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