Liberal judge recruits sanctuary sheriffs who defied ICE for ad touting crime record

The Wisconsin Supreme Court race is heating up as Democrat-aligned candidate Susan Crawford promotes herself as tough on crime while criticizing her opponent, Brad Schimel, as being too extreme. In a recent ad, Crawford touted the endorsement of Dane County Sheriff Kalvin Barrett, who has a history of promoting sanctuary immigration policies and opposing Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Barrett has faced criticism for his soft on crime policies, particularly on illegal immigrant crime. His office has a history of refusing to cooperate with ICE, with Barrett withdrawing Wisconsin from the State Criminal Alien Assistance Program earlier this year. This move earned him praise from the ACLU, but also led to ICE listing Dane County as a non-cooperative jurisdiction in a recent report.

In 2024, two Republican congressmen demanded answers from Barrett after a suspected member of a Venezuelan street gang, Alejandro Jose Coronel Zarate, was released on bail in Dane County and then arrested for sexually and physically assaulting a woman and her child. These incidents have raised concerns about Barrett’s approach to immigration enforcement and public safety.

Crawford’s ad also featured former Dane County Sheriff David Mahoney, who has pushed back against ICE raids. Crawford, a circuit court judge, has been endorsed by the Wisconsin Democratic Party and received significant funding from liberal activist groups. On the other hand, Schimel, a Waukesha County judge endorsed by over 80 Wisconsin sheriffs and several top Republican donors, is positioning himself as the candidate who will protect Wisconsin’s most vulnerable.

The Supreme Court race is considered nonpartisan, but the outcome could have significant political implications for Wisconsin. The current 4-3 liberal majority on the court could be solidified through 2028 if Crawford wins, or shift to a conservative-leaning court if Schimel is elected. This has led to intense campaigning from both sides, with Wisconsin GOP Executive Director Andrew Iverson accusing Crawford of pushing a far-left agenda and aligning herself with anti-ICE and defund-police Democrats.

The election on April 1 will be a critical moment for Wisconsin voters, who will choose between Crawford’s liberal activism and Schimel’s record of protecting the state’s most vulnerable. The race is expected to be closely watched as it could shape the future of Wisconsin politics for years to come.