Wisconsin Supreme Court Candidate Faces Criticism Over Ad Imagery
An advertisement supporting Wisconsin Supreme Court candidate Brad Schimel has sparked controversy due to its use of stock footage. The ad, which suggests a woman featured in it is a local rape survivor, actually shows a model from Italian stock video.
Brad Schimel, a conservative figure serving as a judge in the Wisconsin Circuit Court since 2019, is campaigning for a position against Dane County Circuit Court Judge Susan Crawford in the upcoming April 1 election.
Controversial Campaign Ad Details
The ad, titled “Mission Statement,” includes a voiceover of Schimel narrating his contributions to improving public safety. He emphasizes his involvement in reducing a backlog of untested rape kits in Wisconsin, stating, “[I led] the sexual assault kit initiative, clearing 4,000 backlogged tests so survivors could finally get justice.”
During this statement, a serious-looking woman is shown on screen, with the footage reportedly obtained from Pond5, a New York-based platform offering stock images, music, and videos. The clip of the woman is available for purchase for $39 from an Italian creator.
Use of International Stock Footage in Ads
Schimel’s campaign has incorporated foreign stock footage in various advertisements. For instance, an ad named “Law School” features clips sourced from Ukraine, while another ad titled “Coddling Criminals” uses imagery from Thailand. These ads do not contain disclaimers indicating the individuals seen are actors.
Debate Over Rape Kit Backlog Management
Schimel’s approach to addressing the rape kit backlog has also drawn criticism. During his tenure as Attorney General of Wisconsin from 2015 to 2019, Susan Crawford highlighted at a press conference on February 25 that only nine of 6,000 backlogged kits were processed in Schimel’s initial two years. The issue reportedly only gained significant attention when he was up for reelection.
Implications of the Election
The outcome of the April 1 election is pivotal, as it will determine the ideological direction of the Wisconsin Supreme Court. The race is anticipated to become the most expensive state court contest in U.S. history.
A representative for Schimel’s campaign did not provide a statement when contacted for comments.
