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A new political ad campaign targeting Wisconsin Supreme Court candidate Susan Crawford emphasizes her connections to donors and activists who advocate for transgender policies and pediatric gender transitions.

The advertisement, titled “Not Okay,” debuts Friday from her conservative challenger Brad Schimel’s campaign, portraying Crawford as an extreme progressive. The million-dollar statewide ad features a woman expressing concerns about Crawford’s alleged positions.

“Out-of-state special interests are trying to buy a Supreme Court seat for Susan Crawford. Why? Because Crawford supports their radical agenda, and I’m not okay with any of it,” the woman states in the video.

She continues, “Let transitioning male teachers use my girls’ bathrooms at school? Allow boys to compete against them in sports? Giving puberty-blocking drugs to children without parents’ consent? That’s who Susan Crawford sides with, and I’m not okay with any of it.”

Campaign spokesperson Jacob Fischer commented on the timing of the ad’s release, which coincides with early voting ending March 30 and the April 1 election day. Fischer highlighted Crawford’s support from prominent progressive figures and organizations.

The campaign’s messaging follows recent events supporting Crawford, including a Bernie Sanders rally featuring a transgender performer and a planned Disney-themed drag queen bingo fundraiser in Madison. The fundraiser’s organizers emphasized the significance of Crawford’s election for Wisconsin’s LGBTQ community.

Crawford’s endorsements include organizations supporting transgender rights and gender-affirming care, such as EMILY’s List, Indivisible, and Planned Parenthood. While maintaining her commitment to impartiality if elected, Crawford recently discussed her personal values at Marquette Law School.

“I think values, personal values are important, just so that people can understand things like I believe that our Constitution should protect a zone of private decision making — self-determination, however you want to call it,” she explained. “But there should be certain areas where people are free to make their own decisions about their lives, their relationships, their health care, without the government getting involved. That’s something I think voters should know about me.”

This electoral contest between Crawford and Schimel, former Wisconsin Attorney General and current Waukesha County Circuit Court Judge, follows last year’s significant Supreme Court election where liberal Janet Protasiewicz’s victory established a 4-3 progressive majority.

The upcoming election presents conservatives an opportunity to reclaim the majority following liberal Justice Ann Walsh Bradley’s retirement. Democrats view this race as crucial for policy influence and potential legislative redistricting that could impact Republican representation in Congress.

Wisconsin Supreme Court justices serve decade-long terms in officially nonpartisan positions, though both political sides are heavily invested in the outcome. This race is anticipated to exceed the record-breaking $56 million spent in 2023’s judicial contest, with substantial out-of-state contributions expected.