Re-elect Justice Daniel Kelly in 2020
By Evan Karabas (ekarabas@wisc.edu)
The Supreme Court maintains a unique role in Wisconsin. As a nonpartisan entity, the Supreme Court is charged with interpreting the law and exercising judgment rather than will. In other words, the role of the judiciary is to determine what the law is -- not determine what the law should be.
Unfortunately, our judicial system in the United States is at risk. Now more than ever, activist judges are injecting their personal views and beliefs into court rulings, using the courts as a vehicle to advance their political agendas rather than protect the rule of law. It is critical that we protect the Wisconsin Supreme Court from this threat.
As Wisconsin citizens, the best way to defend the integrity of the Wisconsin Supreme Court is to re-elect Justice Daniel Kelly this April. Over the past few years, Justice Kelly has proven himself to be a principled decision-maker on the Wisconsin Supreme Court. His knowledge and temperament are second to none when it comes to protecting the rule of law.
Regardless of political leanings, voters look to judges who uphold the Constitution. In this regard, Justice Kelly has a proven track record, applying the rule of the law in clear and certain terms -- even when its principles conflict with his personal policy preferences. Justice Kelly understands the clear delineation between justice and politician: one is charged with interpreting the law, the other, with formulating policies.
An experienced attorney, Justice Kelly has practiced law in Wisconsin for 19 years prior to his appointment to the Wisconsin Supreme Court in 2016. While a private practice attorney, Justice Kelly developed a specialty working on cases that protect Americans’ Constitutional rights, representing clients in cases before the U.S. Supreme Court, the Wisconsin Supreme Court and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit.
To that end, Justice Kelly’s judicial philosophy focuses on our individual rights as citizens. He believes that the rule of law is essential to protecting our personal liberties. He also believes that the judiciary is uniquely positioned to protect and preserve the rule of law -- a belief that he not only expounds, but executes on.
Wisconsin’s Supreme Court is only as reliable as the justices that comprise it. Rather than electing a partisan judge who seeks to advance personal objectives, we should re-elect Justice Daniel Kelly, who aims to preserve the integrity of the court. His principled philosophy paired with his proven record, temperament, knowledge, and experience make him an ideal fit for the Wisconsin Supreme Court. The people of Wisconsin can trust Justice Kelly to protect the rule of law and uphold the Constitution in a nonpartisan, impartial manner -- the way our forefathers intended.