A recent advertisement from Wisconsin Supreme Court candidate Brad Schimel has drawn attention for its portrayal of a woman depicted as a local rape survivor. This woman is, in fact, a model featured in Italian stock footage.
Brad Schimel, a conservative judge serving on the Wisconsin Circuit Court since 2019, is competing in the upcoming April 1 election against Susan Crawford, a judge from the Dane County Circuit Court.
The advertisement, named “Mission Statement,” includes voiceover from Schimel discussing his efforts to enhance public safety through his judicial role. The ad concludes with Schimel stating his involvement in resolving a backlog of untested rape kits in Wisconsin.
Schimel claims in the ad, “[I led] the sexual assault kit initiative, clearing 4,000 backlogged tests so survivors could finally get justice.”
While Schimel makes this assertion, the ad shows a somber woman, sourced from Pond5, a New York-based provider of stock images, music, and video. This specific footage, originating from an Italian creator, is available for purchase at $39.
Schimel’s campaign has a history of utilizing international stock footage in its advertisements. For instance, the “Law School” ad incorporates stock footage from Ukraine, while the “Coddling Criminals” ad uses an image from Thailand.
It’s notable that these advertisements lack disclaimers clarifying that the individuals featured are actors.
Beyond the ad content, Schimel’s record on managing the rape kit backlog has been a point of contention. Serving as Wisconsin’s Attorney General from 2015 to 2019, Schimel has been criticized by opponent Susan Crawford. At a press conference on February 25, Crawford pointed out that Schimel managed to clear only nine out of 6,000 backlogged kits during his initial two years in office, suggesting that the issue only gained prominence as he faced reelection pressure.
The outcome of the April 1 election is pivotal, as it will shape the ideological direction of the Wisconsin Supreme Court. This election is anticipated to become the most expensive state court race in U.S. history.
A spokesperson for Schimel’s campaign did not respond to requests for comment.
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