The Wisconsin REALTORS® Association has endorsed incumbent Justice Rebecca Bradley for a full 10-year term on the Wisconsin Supreme Court. The primary election will be held on February 16 and the general election on April 5.
Rebecca Bradley was appointed to the court in October 2015 by Gov. Scott Walker. Prior to her appointment to the state’s highest court, Bradley served as a Milwaukee County Circuit Court judge and on the state Court of Appeals. Bradley also has private sector experience as a former business litigator with the law firm of Whyte Hirschboeck Dudek.
The WRA’s Political Strategy Group, the REALTORS® Political Action Committee (RPAC) trustees and board of directors all voted unanimously to support Justice Bradley.
Why endorse?
The WRA has a long track record of supporting candidates for public office with demonstrated competence, commitment to public service and awareness of issues that affect private property rights in Wisconsin. The WRA has regularly chosen to endorse candidates in Supreme Court races because of the importance of sustaining a capable, independent judiciary that respects the rights of homeowners and property owners.
Why Bradley?
The WRA’s endorsement decision was based on a thorough review of all the candidates running for Wisconsin Supreme Court. The WRA reviewed the candidates’ records, where available, and also conducted direct interviews will all three candidates regarding their general judicial philosophy and specific real estate-related issues. The interviewing committees were impressed with all three candidates in this election, but in the end selected Justice Bradley as the best choice for the real estate industry.
The unanimous endorsement of Bradley is based primarily on the following:
Record on cases impacting the real estate industry: During her brief five-month stint on the Court of Appeals, Bradley decided three cases involving issues important to the WRA. Of those three cases, Bradley ruled in a manner that was beneficial to the real estate industry or property owners in two of those cases and ruled in a “draw” — depending on your perspective — in one case.
Favors private property rights: Bradley’s application for judgeship included the following question: “In one page or less, name one of the worst United States or Wisconsin Supreme Court opinions in the last thirty years and explain why you feel that way.” Justice Bradley named the United States Supreme Court case Kelo v. City of New London, 545 U.S. 469 (2005), citing the case as one of the most “abusive attacks on a constitutional right in the last 30 years.” She further expressed her concern by stating how the Kelo decision “poses a threat to every property owner in the United States by enabling private parties that are financially or politically more powerful to successfully petition often unaccountable governmental entities to take property on their behalf in the name of the ‘public benefit.’” The WRA agrees with Bradley’s position on this high-profile case.
Federalist in judicial philosophy: When asked to describe her judicial philosophy, Justice Bradley said, “I would exercise my legal judgment in an appropriately restrained manner, devoid of political and social policy judgments.” Justice Bradley is strict in her philosophy that judges are not to impose their policy preferences through their decisions. She added that Wisconsin should have “independent justices who will apply the law impartially, free of political agendas.” We agree.
Vote February 16 and April 5
Justice Bradley will face two challengers in the February 16 primary election: Court of Appeals Judge JoAnne Kloppenburg and Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge Joe Donald. Surviving the February 16 primary is the first step. The WRA will conduct a “Get Out to Vote” effort prior to the primary and general elections. Mark your calendars and vote on February 16 and April 5!
Based on Justice Bradley’s experience as well as her support for private property rights and the real estate industry, we urge you to support Justice Rebecca Bradley in the 2016 Wisconsin Supreme Court race.
For more information about Justice Bradley and her campaign, visit www.justicerebeccabradley.com.
Joe Murray is Director of Political and Governmental Affairs for the WRA.