LA CROSSE – Lt. Governor Barbara Lawton called today for the elimination of special interest money in Wisconsin Supreme Court elections at the La Crosse County Courthouse. Joining Lawton in pushing for passage of the Impartial Justice Bill (SB 40/AB 65) were La Crosse County Circuit Court Judge Ramona Gonzalez and County Board Supervisor Tara Johnson.

“A fair and impartial judicial system is the foundation of a democracy, essential to upholding the protection of constitutional rights for all of us. Every Wisconsin citizen must have complete confidence that decisions interpreting the laws of our state are made by justices who are accountable to the facts of the case, not the well-heeled special interest groups who contributed to their campaigns,” Lawton said. “I urge my colleagues in the Assembly and Senate to pass the Impartial Justice Bill now. Wisconsin citizens cannot afford to wait any longer.”

The Impartial Justice Bill passed the Assembly Committee on Elections and Campaign Reform and the Senate Committee on the Judiciary, Corrections, Insurance, Campaign Finance Reform and Housing earlier this year. The bill currently awaits action by the Joint Committee on Finance before proceeding to the full Assembly and Senate.

Lt. Governor Lawton has long advocated for comprehensive campaign finance reform that starts with full public financing of Supreme Court elections. She sits on the National Advisory Committee of Americans for Campaign Reform and formerly served on Chief Justice Nathan Heffernan’s Commission on Clean Elections.

Thursday’s event in La Crosse was the third of four events hosted by Lt. Governor Lawton to build public support for the passage of the Impartial Justice Bill.