ICYMI: WisDems Hold Virtual Press Conference Calling Out Brad Schimel’s Manipulated Attack Ad

MADISON, Wis. — Today, Wisconsin Democratic leaders held a virtual press call to denounce extreme politician Brad Schimel’s campaign for using a potentially AI-manipulated image of Judge Crawford in a new attack ad. The Schimel campaign has admitted to editing the image and Judge Susan Crawford’s campaign has since filed a complaint with the Wisconsin Ethics Commission to investigate its potential violation of a bipartisan state law. 

2023 Wisconsin Act 123, the state law that mandates a disclosure in AI-manipulated political ads, was passed on a bipartisan basis by both Republicans and Democrats to provide transparency, and those found in violation face fines of up to $1,000. 

Brad Schimel’s willingness to manipulate the facts reveals his desperation to hide his shady record, but Wisconsin Democrats will not allow him to hide any longer.

Watch the press call here and see what the speakers had to say, in part, below:
WisDems Chair Ben Wikler: “This week, Brad Schimel’s campaign released a new attack ad that included a potentially AI-manipulated image of Judge Susan Crawford. Brad Schimel’s campaign has admitted to editing the photo, which is a potential violation of a bipartisan state law that requires political ads to disclose the use of AI-manipulated images. The Wisconsin Ethics Commission received the complaint from Judge Crawford’s campaign and has since shared that there is sufficient evidence for the commission to proceed forward on the complaint. This latest tactic by Brad Schimel is nothing new. Brad Schimel has spent his entire political career trying to rewrite the history of how he failed to deliver for Wisconsinites. As Attorney General, Brad Schimel twiddled his thumbs as 6,000 sexual assault kits sat untested for two years. Brad Schimel actively delayed justice for victims. When they learned the truth about Schimel’s record on sexual assault, voters rejected Schimel’s extremism in 2018. They’ll reject it again on April 1.”

Sen. Dianne Hesselbein: “We are here to hold Brad Schimel accountable. His recent attack ad and use of a manipulated photo of Judge Crawford has proven he is beneath, completely beneath the dignity of the office he is seeking. With lies and manipulating images, Brad Schimel further demonstrates his desperation to hide from his shady record of delaying justice for sexual assault victims and attacking the rights of Wisconsinites. Wisconsinites expect Supreme Court justices to hold themselves to a higher standard, but time and time again, Brad Schimel has proven he’s an extreme politician who will do or say anything to be elected, even if it’s breaking the law. Along with urging the Wisconsin Ethics Commission to thoroughly investigate this dishonest advertisement, we ask that TV stations remove this advertisement immediately. This is shady, and Wisconsinites deserve better.”

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