Butler Campaign: Statement by Justice Butler on Supreme Court election

[undeterred]

4/2/2008

Contact: Erin Celello, 608-237-6080

MILWUAKEE – Justice Louis Butler issued the following statement today at the Milwaukee County Courthouse:

“Good morning, I am here to respectfully acknowledge the will of the voters.

“It is been my honor to have served the people of this great state for the past 30 years, and for the last 3 ½ years as a justice on the Wisconsin Supreme Court. I couldn’t be more proud of the campaign I have run. It was a positive campaign, one that befits the dignity of the Wisconsin Supreme Court.

“As you know, I did not run *one* negative ad during this campaign. Unfortunately, too many others did…especially the deep-pocketed third party groups. I’ve said it throughout this race: this system is broken. Third party issue groups who don’t have to be accountable, don’t have to follow campaign finance laws, and don’t have to disclose their donors, siphoned huge amounts of money into this race. That’s why all seven Supreme Court Justices jointly called for realistic, meaningful campaign finance reform. And that’s why I encourage the legislature and the Governor to make that idea a reality.

“I implore them to act, and to act now. We cannot continue to see elections like last year’s and this year’s, and expect people to maintain their faith in our judicial system. If we rob people of their faith in that system, we’ve robbed them of justice.

“As I’ve said, I’m proud of the role I played – in this campaign and during my time on the court – in helping people believe in our justice system…the greatest system of justice in the world. I’m proud of the work I’ve done, alongside my colleagues, on the court.

“Of course, I could not have done it alone. During this campaign, I was humbled every single day by the outpouring of support I received. The volunteers – some of whom I never even met – who worked countless hours stuffing envelopes, making calls, and dropping literature. The strangers who, after hearing some of those nasty ads, called and emailed to offer words of support. My friends. I want to acknowledge and thank Governor Doyle for his trust, Senator Herb Kohl for standing with me, Senator Feingold and Lt. Governor Lawton for their tremendous effort on this campaign. I also want to thank police officers throughout the state that have stood with me for justice throughout my career. I appreciate business groups like the Realtors and the dozens of labor organizations and the thousands of working men and women they represent.

“I am especially proud of the support I have received from the people who do this work every day, the judges and attorneys, and I thank them. I must thank my campaign staff, who have worked ungodly hours to make sure our campaign reached every corner of Wisconsin.

“And most of all, I thank my incredible family. Irene, you have been my partner through thick and thin, and I yours. Thank you for everything. Jessica and Erika, Harry, Aliana, Tony, Harry & Spencer, our grandchildren, my mom, my aunt, my sister Pam and her family, my sister-in-law Elfi and her family, and my brothers. You were all a part of this. And for that, I can’t thank you enough.

“It has been a privilege to serve this great state. God Bless Wisconsin!”

http://www.wispolitics.com/index.iml?Article=122604

[midnight]

1. I kind of think that it wasn't the will of the people. But Justice

Butler is a classy man, and tha't that.

[RevCheesehead]

2. Well said.

I agree. :sigh: