State Supreme Court candidates say dirty ads must go

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State Supreme Court candidate Michael Gableman says we should all be on “high alert” over the dirty special interest ads we’re seeing in the race.

Incumbent Louis Butler agreed they were “misleading, dishonest and sleazy.”

At a debate in Dodgeville Sunday, both candidates in the April 1 election said the special interests had no interest tainting the justice system with their ads.

And that’s about all the two agreed upon. Gableman, a Burnett County circuit judge, said he entered the race to stop what he called a pattern of rulings influenced by personal opinions.

He said the courts’ job is to interpret the law and not make new ones.

Butler denied legislating from the bench and said he decried the practice even before Gov. Jim Doyle appointed him.

Meanwhile, Butler wondered if Gableman would be too beholden to law enforcement as he touts his numerous endorsements from sheriffs’ and district attorneys.

Gableman said the only thing he promised them was a fair hearing.

Tags: wisconsinnews, dirtyads, gableman