Fact check: Did liberal high court candidate Janet Protasiewicz violate the judicial code of conduct? From the Election 2022: Separate fact from fiction on campaign claims series ALEXANDER SHUR Jan 26, 2023 Jan 26, 2023 Updated Sep 20, 2023 Prefer us on Google Learn More Facebook Twitter WhatsApp SMS Email Print Copy article link Save kAmx? D6A2C2E6 :?E6CG:6HD 2?5 A2?6= 5:D4FDD:@?D[ =:36C2= (:D4@?D:? $FAC6>6 r@FCE 42?5:52E6 y2?6E !C@E2D:6H:4K 92D 42==65 E96 DE2E6’D =68:D=2E:G6 >2AD “C:8865” 2?5 D2:5 E96 &]$] $FAC6>6 r@FCE 564:D:@? @G6CEFC?:?8 #@6 G] (256 H2D HC@?8=J 564:565]k^AmkAmr@?D6CG2E:G6D[ 7C@> E96 #6AF3=:42? !2CEJ @7 (:D4@?D:? E@ 2 AC@>:?6?E C25:@ 9@DE[ 92G6 D2:5 !C@E2D:6H:4K’D 6>3C246 @7 E9@D6 DE2?46D G:@=2E6D E96 (:D4@?D:? r@56 @7 yF5:4:2= r@?5F4E 3642FD6[ :7 D96’D 6=64E65[ D96 4@F=5 96=A 564:56 42D6D 492==6?8:?8 E96 DE2E6 >2AD 2?5 (:D4@?D:?’D ?62C\4@>A=6E6 23@CE:@? 32?]k^Am kAm$@>6 2C6 42==:?8 7@C E96 (:D4@?D:? yF5:4:2= r@>>:DD:@? E@ =@@< :?E@ E96 >2EE6C[ ?@E:?8 E92E 2 AC@G:D:@? :? E96 ;F5:4:2= 4@56 32CD 42?5:52E6D 7C@> >2<:?8 “A=6586D[ AC@>:D6D[ @C 4@>>:E>6?ED” C682C5:?8 :DDF6D[ 4@?EC@G6CD:6D @C 42D6D =:<6=J E@ 4@>6 367@C6 E96>]k^Am People are also reading… Lake Geneva considers changes to city’s tourism commission Robert G. Betzer Here's who’s running for Wisconsin governor in 2026 Gage Marine acquires Norton’s on Green Lake supper club Highway 50 project informational meeting set for June 10 Lake Geneva to work with engineering firm on Hillmoor trail project Impact of Walworth County tourism hits $1 billion mark Yerkes Observatory receives $700,000 grant from the state Farewell to the McClain Center, built and demolished out of Wisconsin falling behind peers Which Brewers are on the all-star ballot, and who has the best shot? State revokes wholesale licenses of two Elkhorn automotive dealerships Who will the Bucks take in the NBA Draft? These mock drafts have ideas Savannah Guthrie shares new message about missing mother Nancy Guthrie Lake Geneva to work with bus company during road project Plan Commission gives initial approval to Lake Geneva supper club Gov. Tony Evers discusses his abortion referendum proposal at a news conference on Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2023. kAm$E@AA:?8 D9@CE @7 2==68:?8 2?J G:@=2E:@?D[ 4@?D6CG2E:G6 492==6?86C 2?5 7@C>6C 9:89 4@FCE yFDE:46 s2? z6==J D2:5 :? 2 !q$ (:D4@?D:? :?E6CG:6H E92E “:>A@CE:?8” @?6’D A6CD@?2= AC676C6?46D @C A@=:E:4D :?E@ E96 9:89 4@FCE :D A@:D@? E@ E96 3@5J’D H@C<]k^AmkAmp DA@<6DA6CD@? 7@C !C@E2D:6H:4K WAC@?@F?465 “AC@\EF9\$p*\H:EK”X 5676?565 96C C:89E E@ >2<6 E96 4@>>6?ED]k^Am kAm“yF586 !C@E2D:6H:4K’D 4@>>6?ED 2C6 32D65 :? E96 =2H — 28C66:?8 H:E9 4@FCE 564:D:@?D :? D@>6 42D6D 2?5 5:DD6?ED :? @E96CD[” 42>A2:8? DA@<6DA6CD@? $2> #@64<6C D2:5 :? 2 DE2E6>6?E] “pD 2 >6>36C @7 E96 (:D4@?D:? $FAC6>6 r@FCE[ D96 H:== 36 4@>>:EE65 E@ :>A2CE:2==J 7@==@H:?8 E96 =2H[ <66A:?8 A6@A=6 D276[ AC@E64E:?8 @FC 4@?DE:EFE:@?2= C:89ED[ 2?5 C6EFC?:?8 E96 4@FCE E@ 36:?8 2 ?@?A2CE:D2? 3@5J]”k^Am kAmw6C6 :D H92E !C@E2D:6H:4K D2:5ik^AmkAm“(96? H6 D2J E92E E96 >2AD 2C6 C:8865[ E9@D6 >2AD 2C6 C:8865[” !C@E2D:6H:4K D2:5 :? 2 k2 9C67lQ9EEADi^^HHH]H:D?]4@>^2CE:4=6^;2?6E\AC@E2D:6H:4K\`\@?\`^cae_dafdQ E2C86ElQ03=2?<Qm(x$} `a :?E6CG:6Hk^2m FA=@2565 E9:D H66<] “x E9:?< H96? J@F E2=< 23@FE WE96 564:D:@? @G6CEFC?:?8 E96 4@?DE:EFE:@?2= C:89E E@ 2? 23@CE:@?X[ 2 564:D:@? H9:49 x 42== 7C2F89E H:E9 ;F5:4:2= 24E:G:D> 7C@> E96 C:89E @? @FC &]$] $FAC6>6 r@FCE[ x E9:?< A6@A=6 D9@F=5 <?@H H92E >J G2=F6D 2C6 :? C682C5 E@ H@>6?’D C6AC@5F4E:G6 C:89ED]”k^Am kAm$A62<:?8 E@ k2 9C67lQ9EEADi^^HHH]H<@H]4@>^?6HD^42A:E2=\4:EJ\DF?52J\D4@H:D\42?5:52E6\6>3C246D\AC@8C6DD:G6\=236=\E:772?J\5676?5D\A2?6=\:?G6DE:82E:?8\5@;^2CE:4=60cf55__fc\hb3`\``65\34f5\hb6fg66`b6ab]9E>=Q E2C86ElQ03=2?<Qm(z~(\%' Wr92??6= afXk^2m :? y2?F2CJ[ !C@E2D:6H:4K D2:5[ “x? C682C5 E@ E96 AC@8C6DD:G6 =236=[ x 6>3C246 E92E H96? :E 4@>6D E@ :DDF6D DF49 2D 86CCJ>2?56C:?8[ H96? H6 E2=< 23@FE E96 >2AD[ H96? H6 E2=< 23@FE >2CC:286 6BF2=:EJ[ H96? H6 E2=< 23@FE H@>6?’D C:89ED 2?5 H@>6?’D C:89ED E@ 49@@D6]”k^Am kA 4=2DDlQE?4>D\:?=:?6\=:?<Qmk2 9C67lQ9EEADi^^>25:D@?]4@>^E?4>D^2DD6E^65:E@C:2=^_ghc2fc3\`ee4\dffh\3h33\7d54`de3gg2cQm(:D4@?D:?:E6D E@ 92G6 7:?2= D2J @? 32:= BF6DE:@? :? pAC:= 27E6C pDD6>3=J 8:G6D 7:?2= 2AAC@G2=k^2mk^Am kAmpD<65 :? E96 (z~( :?E6CG:6H H92E 724E@CD D96 H@F=5 4@?D:56C :7 D96 H6C6 E@ AC6D:56 @G6C E96 42D6 492==6?8:?8 E96 DE2E6’D 23@CE:@? 32?[ !C@E2D:6H:4K D2:5 D96 42??@E D2J 9@H D96 H@F=5 CF=6 @? E96 42D6[ 255:?8 E92E :? 564:5:?8 D96 H@F=5 =@@< 2E E96 DE2E6 r@?DE:EFE:@? 4=@D6=J[ :?4=F5:?8 DF886DE:@?D @7 2 C:89E E@ AC:G24J H:E9:? E96 5@4F>6?E]k^Am kAm“(92E x H:== E6== J@F :D E92E E96 3F=< @7 :DDF6D ]]] E96C6’D ?@ E9F>3 @? E96 D42=6[” D96 D2:5] “qFE x H:== 2=D@ E6== J@F E92E x’== 42== E96> 2D x D66 E96>[ 2?5 x’== E6== J@F H92E >J G2=F6D 2C6 :? C682C5D E@ WE96 23@CE:@?X :DDF6[ 3642FD6 E9:D :DDF6 :D D@ 4C:E:42==J :>A@CE2?E]”k^Am k9bmr@56 @7 4@?5F4Ek^9bmkAm%96 (:D4@?D:? r@56 @7 yF5:4:2= r@?5F4E D2JD 2 42?5:52E6 7@C ;F5:4:2= @77:46 :D AC@9:3:E65 “7C@> >2<:?8 DE2E6>6?ED E92E 4@>>:E E96 42?5:52E6 C682C5:?8 42D6D[ 4@?EC@G6CD:6D @C :DDF6D =:<6=J E@ 4@>6 367@C6 E96 4@FCE]”k^AmkAmx7 ;F5:4:2= 42?5:52E6D @C @77:4:2=D 5@ G:@=2E6 E92E 4@56[ E96 (:D4@?D:? yF5:4:2= r@>>:DD:@? 42? 7:=6 2 4@>A=2:?E H:E9 E96 (:D4@?D:? $FAC6>6 r@FCE] !@E6?E:2= A6?2=E:6D 42? :?4=F56 :?4=F56 “C6AC:>2?5[ 46?DFC6[ DFDA6?D:@?[ 2?5 C6>@G2=[” ;F5:4:2= 4@>>:DD:@? 6I64FE:G6 5:C64E@C y6C6>:29 '2? w64<6 D2:5 :? 2 DE2E6>6?E] %96 4@>>:DD:@? 5@6D ?@E 4@>>6?E @? 24EF2= @C A@E6?E:2= 4@>A=2:?ED[ '2? w64<6 25565]k^Am k2D:56 4=2DDlQE?4>D\:?=:?6\C6=4@?E6?E E?4>D\:?=:?6\C6=4@?E6?E\:?7@ E?4>D\:?=:?6\2=:8?>6?E\46?E6C E?4>D\:?=:?6\H:5E9\EH@\E9:C5DQmk9cm$r# r92AE6C e_ r@56 @7 yF5:4:2= r@?5F4Ek^9cmkAmp ;F586[ ;F586\6=64E[ @C 42?5:52E6 7@C ;F5:4:2= @77:46 D92== ?@E >2<6 @C A6C>:E @C 2FE9@C:K6 @E96CD E@ >2<6 @? 9:D @C 96C 3692=7[ H:E9 C6DA64E E@ 42D6D[ 4@?EC@G6CD:6D[ @C :DDF6D E92E 2C6 =:<6=J E@ 4@>6 367@C6 E96 4@FCE[ A=6586D[ AC@>:D6D[ @C 4@>>:E>6?ED E92E 2C6 :?4@?D:DE6?E H:E9 E96 :>A2CE:2= A6C7@C>2?46 @7 E96 25;F5:42E:G6 5FE:6D @7 E96 @77:46]k^Amk^2D:56m Listen now and subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify | RSS Feed | SoundStack | All Of Our Podcasts Listen now and subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify | RSS Feed | SoundStack | All Of Our Podcasts kAmqFE E96 DE2E6>6?ED !C@E2D:6H:4K >256 23@FE >2AD 2?5 23@CE:@? 5@ ?@E 2AA62C E@ G:@=2E6 E96 32? @? >2<:?8 A=6586D @? :DDF6D =:<6=J E@ 4@>6 367@C6 E96 4@FCE[ D2:5 &(\|25:D@? {2H $49@@= 2DD@4:2E6 AC@76DD@C #@36CE *23=@?]k^Am kAm“%9:D CF=6 AC@9:3:ED ;F5:4:2= 42?5:52E6D 7C@> AC@>:D:?8 E@ CF=6 :? A2CE:4F=2C H2JD @? A2CE:4F=2C =682= BF6DE:@?D[ 3FE :E 5@6D ?@E 32C E96> 7C@> D92C:?8 E96:C G2=F6D 2?5 @A:?:@?D[” 96 D2:5]k^AmkA 4=2DDlQE?4>D\:?=:?6\=:?<Qmk2 9C67lQ9EEADi^^>25:D@?]4@>^E?4>D^2DD6E^65:E@C:2=^2g_47e4a\_`_e\db3a\hb6b\e_bdhh65cacdQmy2?6E !C@E2D:6H:4K =625D 7F?5C2:D:?8 7@C DE2E6 $FAC6>6 r@FCEj y6??:76C s@C@H 92D DEC@?8 DE2CEk^2mk^Amk9bm!C64656?E D6Ek^9bmkAm*23=@? A@:?E65 E@ 2 a__a &]$] $FAC6>6 r@FCE 42D6[ #6AF3=:42? !2CEJ @7 |:??6D@E2 G] (9:E6[ E92E 5:DAFE65 E96 G2=:5:EJ @7 2 D:>:=2C AC@9:3:E:@? :? |:??6D@E2] x? E92E 42D6[ E96 &]$] $FAC6>6 r@FCE 7@F?5 ;F5:4:2= 42?5:52E6D 92G6 2 u:CDE p>6?5>6?E C:89E E@ 2??@F?46 “E96:C G:6HD @? 5:DAFE65 =682= 2?5 A@=:E:42= :DDF6D]”k^Am kAm“(6 92G6 ?6G6C 2==@H65 E96 8@G6C?>6?E E@ AC@9:3:E 42?5:52E6D 7C@> 4@>>F?:42E:?8 C6=6G2?E :?7@C>2E:@? E@ G@E6CD 5FC:?8 2? 6=64E:@?[ 2?5 H6 5@ ?@E 368:? 5@:?8 D@ E@52J[” 7@C>6C 4@?D6CG2E:G6 &]$] $FAC6>6 r@FCE yFDE:46 p?E@?:? $42=:2 HC@E6 :? E92E CF=:?8]k^AmkAm*23=@? 2=D@ A@:?E65 E@ 2 a__f 7656C2= 4@FCE 42D6 :? (:D4@?D:?[ sFH6 G] p=6I2?56C[ H96C6 E96 4@FCE H6:8965 :? @? E96 AC@G:D:@? 4@?D6CG2E:G6D D2J !C@E2D:6H:4K G:@=2E65]k^Am kAm“%96C6 :D =:EE=6 2>3:8F:EJ :? E96 =2?8F286 @7 E9:D AC@G:D:@?[” 2 ;F586 @? E96 &]$] s:DEC:4E r@FCE :? E96 (6DE6C? s:DEC:4E @7 (:D4@?D:? HC@E6] “|@DE :>A@CE2?E=J[ :E :D 4=62C E92E E96 AC@G:D:@? C6BF:C6D 2? 24EF2= 4@>>:E>6?E E@ CF=6 2 46CE2:? H2J @? 2 42D6[ 4@?EC@G6CDJ @C :DDF6 =:<6=J E@ 4@>6 367@C6 E96 4@FCE]”k^Am kAm“p3D6?E 2 DE2E6>6?E 4@>>:EE:?8 E96 DA62<6C E@ 564:56 2 42D6[ 4@?EC@G6CDJ @C :DDF6 :? 2 A2CE:4F=2C H2J[ E96 DA62<6C 42? 36 4@?7:56?E E92E E96 CF=6 :D ?@E G:@=2E65[” E96 ;F586 4@?E:?F65]k^AmkA 4=2DDlQE?4>D\:?=:?6\=:?<Qmk2 9C67lQ9EEADi^^>25:D@?]4@>^E?4>D^2DD6E^65:E@C:2=^afdd4b5b\3673\d`de\hhaf\2ge23da54eb5Qmpv y@D9 z2F= 2D<D ;F586 ?@E E@ 5:D>:DD 42D6 492==6?8:?8 23@CE:@? 32? :? (:D4@?D:?k^2mk^Amk9bm‘}@ A=6586D[ ?@ AC@>:D6D’k^9bmkAmr92C=6D v6J9[ 2 =2H AC@76DD@C 2E x?5:2?2 &?:G6CD:EJ H9@ DA64:2=:K6D :? ;F5:4:2= 4@?5F4E 2?5 6E9:4D[ D2:5 E96 AC@G:D:@? 5@6D ?@E 2AA=J :? E9:D 42D6]k^Am kAm“w6C 4@>>6?ED :?4=F56 ?@ A=6586D[ ?@ AC@>:D6D[ ?@ 4@>>:E>6?ED[” 96 D2:5] “$96 :D D:>A=J 2??@F?4:?8 96C G:6HD @? :DDF6D E92E >2J 4@>6 367@C6 96C 2D 2 ;F586]”k^AmkAm%92E D2:5[ :7 D96’D 6=64E65 E@ E96 4@FCE[ !C@E2D:6H:4K >2J ?665 E@ 5:DBF2=:7J 96CD6=7 7C@> 2?J 42D6 4@?46C?:?8 =68:D=2E:G6 C65:DEC:4E:?8[ v6J9 D2:5]k^Am kAm“p C62D@?23=6 @3D6CG6C[ <?@H:?8 E92E D96 92D AC6;F5865 E96 DJDE6> 2D ‘C:8865’ 367@C6 E96 42D6 368:?D[ >:89E C62D@?23=J 5@F3E 96C :>A2CE:2=:EJ[” 96 D2:5]k^Am kAmqFE D96 =:<6=J H@F=5?’E 92G6 E@ C64FD6 96CD6=7 7@C >2EE6CD 4@?46C?:?8 23@CE:@?[ v6J9 D2:5[ 3642FD6[ 2=E9@F89 D96 D2:5 D96 5:D28C665 H:E9 E96 &]$] $FAC6>6 r@FCE’D 564:D:@? @G6CEFC?:?8 E96 4@?DE:EFE:@?2= C:89E E@ 2? 23@CE:@?[ D96 “92D D2:5 ?@E9:?8 E@ :>A=J 2? :?23:=:EJ E@ 2AA=J 2 =2H H:E9 H9:49 D96 5:D28C66D]”k^Am kAm$@ H92E’D E96 C6DE @7 E96 DE@CJnk^AmkAm!C@E2D:6H:4K’D 4@>>6?ED 23@FE E96 DE2E6 >2AD 2?5 E96 42D6 @G6CEFC?:?8 23@CE:@? C:89ED 2AA62C ?@E E@ G:@=2E6 E96 (:D4@?D:? r@56 @7 yF5:4:2= r@?5F4E] %96 &]$] $FAC6>6 r@FCE 92D D2:5 ;F5:4:2= 42?5:52E6D 92G6 2 4@?DE:EFE:@?2= C:89E E@ 2??@F?46 E96:C G:6HD @? 5:DAFE65 :DDF6D] p?5 2 7656C2= 4@FCE :? (:D4@?D:? 7@F?5 E92E E96 ;F5:4:2= 4@56 AC@G:D:@? E92E 4@?D6CG2E:G6D D2J !C@E2D:6H:4K G:@=2E65 @?=J 2AA=:6D E@ 24EF2= 4@>>:E>6?ED E@ CF=6 2 46CE2:? H2J @? 2 42D6[ D@>6E9:?8 EH@ =2H AC@76DD@CD D2J !C@E2D:6H:4K 5:5 ?@E AC@G:56]k^Am Fave 5: Reporter Alexander Shur picks his top stories of 2022 My first year at the Wisconsin State Journal gave me — and hopefully our readers — several stories worth looking back on. Govt-and-politics Wisconsin election clerks face unprecedented scrutiny despite no widespread fraud Updated Apr 7, 2026 In this story, I examine how Wisconsin's municipal and county clerks have been dealing with unprecedented scrutiny since the 2020 elections. Govt-and-politics Bipartisan Asian American history curriculum bill stalls in Legislature Updated Apr 7, 2026 Bills often moves so fast in the Legislature that the best reporters can do is summarize a wide range of them, but this one was worth looking into. Govt-and-politics Charles Franklin's Marquette poll succeeds — mostly — despite ongoing challenges Updated Apr 7, 2026 There may be no person more capable of talking about the nuts and bolts of political polling than Marquette poll director Charles Franklin. Govt-and-politics With abortion ban likely, Wisconsin's midterm elections already taking on a new form Updated Apr 7, 2026 If one thing reshaped politics this year, it was the U.S. Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade. Govt-and-politics Millions in federal COVID relief would go toward staffing police under new GOP package Updated Apr 7, 2026 This story isn't fascinating, except that it was my first one on the job. I've since learned a whole lot and look forward to learning more. +1 Protasiewicz JOHN HART, STATE JOURNAL In this Series Election 2022: Separate fact from fiction on campaign claims Updated May 5, 2026 Mandela Barnes signaled support for abolishing ICE, cutting police budgets but now favors neither Updated Oct 11, 2024 Ron Johnson supports abortion exceptions, but 2011 bill would have banned all procedures Updated Feb 8, 2026 Was Ron Johnson 'set up' by the FBI? 11 updates Previous Next Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Related to this story Wisconsinites to have final say on bail question in April after Assembly gives final approval The Assembly passed both measures, which Democratic Gov. Tony Evers cannot veto, on Thursday. Janet Protasiewicz leads fundraising for state Supreme Court; Jennifer Dorow has strong start The four candidates will face off in a Feb. 21 primary election, with the top two vote-getters advancing to the April 4 election. AG Josh Kaul asks judge not to dismiss case challenging abortion ban in Wisconsin The final say on abortion rights in Wisconsin is expected to come from the Wisconsin Supreme Court. Abortion rights, electability emerge as dominant themes in Wisconsin Supreme Court primary The four candidates will face off Feb. 21, with the top two vote-getters advancing to the April 4 general election. Watch Now: Related Video Madison Symphony Orchestra's Centennial Fest Birthright citizenship decision looms as Trump court cases mount Birthright citizenship decision looms as Trump court cases mount GLP-1s and cancer prevention: What’s known and what isn’t GLP-1s and cancer prevention: What’s known and what isn’t SpaceX Makes History with Record-Breaking IPO SpaceX Makes History with Record-Breaking IPO Watch Now: Related Video Madison Symphony Orchestra's Centennial Fest Birthright citizenship decision looms as Trump court cases mount Birthright citizenship decision looms as Trump court cases mount GLP-1s and cancer prevention: What’s known and what isn’t GLP-1s and cancer prevention: What’s known and what isn’t SpaceX Makes History with Record-Breaking IPO SpaceX Makes History with Record-Breaking IPO
Govt-and-politics Wisconsin election clerks face unprecedented scrutiny despite no widespread fraud Updated Apr 7, 2026 In this story, I examine how Wisconsin's municipal and county clerks have been dealing with unprecedented scrutiny since the 2020 elections.
Govt-and-politics Bipartisan Asian American history curriculum bill stalls in Legislature Updated Apr 7, 2026 Bills often moves so fast in the Legislature that the best reporters can do is summarize a wide range of them, but this one was worth looking into.
Govt-and-politics Charles Franklin's Marquette poll succeeds — mostly — despite ongoing challenges Updated Apr 7, 2026 There may be no person more capable of talking about the nuts and bolts of political polling than Marquette poll director Charles Franklin.
Govt-and-politics With abortion ban likely, Wisconsin's midterm elections already taking on a new form Updated Apr 7, 2026 If one thing reshaped politics this year, it was the U.S. Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade.
Govt-and-politics Millions in federal COVID relief would go toward staffing police under new GOP package Updated Apr 7, 2026 This story isn't fascinating, except that it was my first one on the job. I've since learned a whole lot and look forward to learning more.
Wisconsinites to have final say on bail question in April after Assembly gives final approval The Assembly passed both measures, which Democratic Gov. Tony Evers cannot veto, on Thursday.
Janet Protasiewicz leads fundraising for state Supreme Court; Jennifer Dorow has strong start The four candidates will face off in a Feb. 21 primary election, with the top two vote-getters advancing to the April 4 election.
AG Josh Kaul asks judge not to dismiss case challenging abortion ban in Wisconsin The final say on abortion rights in Wisconsin is expected to come from the Wisconsin Supreme Court.
Abortion rights, electability emerge as dominant themes in Wisconsin Supreme Court primary The four candidates will face off Feb. 21, with the top two vote-getters advancing to the April 4 general election.