Meet The Candidate: Daniel Kelly for Supreme Court
February 24, 2023

Tamira Musgrave

Journalist

KEY POINTS:

  • Scott Walker appointed Daniel Kelly in 2016 as a Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice.
  • Kelly is a 58-year-old constitutional conservative who respects the wisdom and values of the past by implementing them in the modern day.
  • Constitutional conservatives focus on interpreting the Constitution the way our Founding Fathers intended, not based on the whims of individuals in positions of power.
  • Kelly is in the race for the Wisconsin State Supreme Court against his progressive opponent, Janet Protasiewicz.
  • The general election in April will determine whether Republicans will maintain or lose the Supreme Court majority they’ve held for 15 years.
  • A 2022 survey conducted by Rasmussen Reports and the Heartland Institute revealed that 57% of Democrats surveyed believed the constitution was “rooted in racism,” another 64% said it was “sexist,” and 49%, about half, feel that it should be “mostly or completely rewritten.”  
  • Kelly has reported raising over $300,000, according to filings with the state of Wisconsin.

Former Gov. Scott Walker appointed Daniel Kelly in 2016 as a Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice. He lost his reelection to current justice Kill Karofsky in 2020. Today, Kelly is in the race for the Wisconsin State Supreme Court against his progressive opponent, Janet Protasiewicz. 

The general election in April will determine whether Republicans will maintain or lose the Supreme Court majority they’ve held for 15 years. Key issues such as election laws, abortion laws, and electoral maps are the hot topics that both parties are scrambling over; if the balance shifts in the upcoming election, Democrats will have more authority over these matters.

The candidates don’t have much time, so voters must familiarize themselves with each candidate and determine who would be the most suitable, trustworthy, and experienced individual for the position. 

Kelly is a 58-year-old constitutional conservative who respects the wisdom and values of the past by implementing them in the modern day. Individuals like Kelly tend to have a more traditional point of view and aim to preserve liberty and law.

Constitutional conservatives focus on interpreting the Constitution the way our Founding Fathers intended, not based on the whims of individuals in positions of power. AKA, someone who will not allow personal agendas, social issues, or feelings to get in the way of decision-making when performing their duty.

Some ultra-progressive Democrats see constitutional conservatives as the most dangerous type; since liberals have repeatedly expressed their support for rewriting the constitution to suit their feelings, needs, and wants. 

A 2022 survey conducted by Rasmussen Reports and the Heartland Institute revealed that 57% of Democrats surveyed believed the constitution was “rooted in racism,” another 64% said it was “sexist,” and 49%, about half, feel that it should be “mostly or completely rewritten.”  

Daniel Kelly earned his law degree from Regent University School of Law, the same school Jennifer Dorow received her degree. Kelly is both experienced and reliable and knows the importance of applying the law as it is written instead of legislating from the bench. He takes the responsibility seriously and believes Wisconsin doesn’t need judicial activists using the system to impose their political agenda. 

The left frequently mentions the “antiquated and unfair” Constitution. The Supreme Court is expected to be reliable because they are supposed to actively maintain a politically neutral set of idealistic values.

Judges should not be using the system to achieve partisan goals. We need judges who bring common sense to the table and can be trusted with the responsibility of following the law in all cases presented to them. 

Conservative Dan Kelly is endorsed by various individuals and a few pro-life organizations, including:

  • Current WI Supreme Court Justice Rebecca Bradley
  • WI Court of Appeals Judge Shelley Grogan
  • Diane Hendricks, ABC Supply Co.
  • 19 Active/Retired Sheriffs
  • Wisconsin Right to Life
  • Pro-Life Wisconsin

Kelly has reported raising over $300,000, according to filings with the state of Wisconsin. He has received $20,000 in donations, the maximum allowed legally, from Dick and Liz Uihlein, million-dollar moguls of the shipping supply company ULINE. He’s also received another $20,000 from Stephen Kieffer of Princeton, Wisconsin. 

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