Posted on 04/08/2015 1:09:57 AM PDT by afraidfortherepublic
Madison— Voters on Tuesday approved letting state Supreme Court justices choose who will lead them — a change to a 126-year-old system that is likely to result in the demotion of Chief Justice Shirley Abrahamson.
With 97% of precincts reporting, the proposed amendment to the state constitution had 53% "yes" votes and 47% "no" votes.
The proposal often overshadowed a race for a seat on the high court, with outside money flowing mostly to the referendum rather than the court election. In that race, Justice Ann Walsh Bradley — an ally of Abrahamson's — won a third 10-year term on the court over Rock County Circuit Judge James Daley.
Tuesday's results were conflicting. Conservatives cheered the passage of the amendment, while those on the left hailed the re-election of Bradley.
Since 1889, the job of chief justice has gone to the most senior member of the Supreme Court. The chief justice serves as the administrative head of the state's judiciary and sets agendas for the high court.
Opponents of the proposed constitutional amendment portrayed it as a proxy fight over Abrahamson, a liberal leading a court controlled by conservatives. Supporters of the measure denied that, saying the measure was aimed at making the court more democratic and the chief justice more accountable to other members of the court.
Abrahamson has said the proposal was one aimed at "injecting the ugliness of partisan politics into the judiciary."
(Excerpt) Read more at jsonline.com ...
Gov. Scott Walker (left) is administered the oath of office by Chief Justice of the Wisconsin Supreme Court Shirley Abramson (right) during inaugural ceremonies for constitutional officers Monday. The longtime chief justice will likely lose that job after a vote Tuesday on a constitutional amendment that will change the way chief justices are selected.
FReep Mail me if you want on, or off, this Wisconsin interest ping list.
bttt!
Gov. Scott Walker’s team knows the other side is playing for real...
Even though we didn’t get Judge Daley on the WISC, at LEAST we can neuter Abrahamson, the leftist hag! FINALLY!
I’ll take minor victories - and Wisconsin still has a Right-leaning court. Though, according to Dems, it’s supposed to be blind to political affiliation...unless they’re in charge of it all, of course. *Rolleyes*
Thank You, Fellow Wisconsinites for seeing the light on this VERY important matter! :)
I hope so. Some of those "conservative" justices are squishy.
Great news. I was sorely disappointed that Daly didn’t win. Boo! I am sure many didn’t take the time to vote in this very important election. What a shame and missed opportunity!
Me too. And one of our “conservative” talk show hosts did his darndest to muddy the waters by ridiculing Daley as a poor candidate. I met Daley and heard him speak on at leat 3 occasions and found him quite knowledgable and likeable.
It just shows how confused the electorate was over Bradley’s shenanigans on the Supreme Couurt with Prosser.
Madison had an election for mayor the same day. That pumped up the number of liberals going to the polls which helped Ann Bradley. Conservatives have to get serious next year when Justice Crooks steps down.
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