Left-wing Supreme Court candidate Janet Protasiewicz has ducked a THIRD and FOURTH opportunity to square off against Dan Kelly in a live format. This time, she’s refusing to show up to answer questions from a panel of prominent Milwaukee journalists AND from WISN-TV.
First, she refused to appear at a conservative group-sponsored forum at Carroll University. An empty chair was placed in her spot. Second, she refused to appear at a liberal-sponsored forum. The media have refused to report these facts.
Her opponent, former Justice Dan Kelly, appeared at the first and was willing to appear at the second.
Now Protasiewicz has declined to appear at a Newsmaker Luncheon organized by the Milwaukee Press Club. Kelly will be appearing. AND she refused to appear at a debate by WISN-TV.
“Ahead of the April 4 election, WISN-TV invited both Supreme Court candidates to participate in a primetime debate,” WISN-TV wrote on March 6. “Former Justice Daniel Kelly agreed. On Monday, Milwaukee County Judge Janet Protasiewicz officially declined the request.”
Protasiewicz is clearly limiting how many questions she will get asked before the general election. She has only agreed to appear at a televised debate sponsored by the State Bar of Wisconsin, WISC-TV, and WisPolitics.com on March 21 and a candidate forum hosted by groups All Voting is Local, Campus Vote Project, and VoteRiders on March 28.
But she won’t answer live questions from the Milwaukee journalists and audience at the Press Club, either.
According to a press release from the Milwaukee Press Club, “Wisconsin Supreme Court Candidate
Daniel Kelly to Speak at Newsmaker Luncheon,” and “Opponent Janet Protasiewicz declined invitation for a joint appearance.”
The event is hosted by the Milwaukee Press Club, WisPolitics.com, and the Rotary Club of Milwaukee. It will be held on March 14.
“Kelly’s opponent, Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge Janet Protasiewicz, declined an invitation to the joint event, citing scheduling as the reason,” the Press club stated.
The luncheon is set for 11:45 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. at the Milwaukee County War Memorial Center, 750 N Lincoln Memorial Drive.
“Kelly and Protasiewicz, both of whom advanced from the February 21 primary, are vying for an open seat that likely will determine ideological control of the court. The vacancy was created when Justice Patience Roggensack announced she would not seek another term,” the press release noted.
“Kelly, who was appointed to fill a vacancy on the Supreme Court in 2016 by then-Gov. Scott Walker is seeking a full 10-year term after losing that seat in 2020 to current Justice Jill Karofsky. He will take questions from a panel of journalists and from the audience at the event.”
The media panel:
Charles Benson – TMJ4 News
Corrinne Hess – Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Victor Jacobo – CBS 58 and Telemundo Wisconsin
“The Milwaukee Press Club’s Newsmaker Lunch Hour series is underwritten by presenting sponsor Spectrum News 1 and supporting sponsor We Energies,” the press release notes.
“WisPolitics.com partners with the press club as part of its ongoing event series in Milwaukee, sponsored by UW-Milwaukee, Wisconsin Academy of Global Education and Training, ELEVEN25 at Pabst, Milwaukee Police Association, The Firm Consulting, Medical College of Wisconsin, and Spectrum.”
“The press club’s Newsmaker Luncheons are held to inform the public about the people and issues that affect individuals and communities in Milwaukee and Wisconsin. The cost to attend is $25 for MPC members, $30 for non-members, and $20 for students. Lunch is included. The registration deadline is Friday, March 10. Seating is limited. Advanced registration and payment are required and may be done online at http://www.milwaukeepressclub.org/. Checks may be mailed to the MPC at PO Box 176, North Prairie, WI 53153-0176. Cancellations will be accepted up to 48 hours in advance for a full refund.”