Wisconsin Supreme Court Candidate’s Ad Under Scrutiny for Use of Stock Footage
Brad Schimel, a candidate in the Wisconsin Supreme Court race, has released an ad that is receiving criticism for featuring a woman depicted as a local rape survivor, who is actually a model from Italian stock footage. Schimel, who has served as a judge on the Wisconsin Circuit Court since 2019, is competing against Dane County Circuit Court Judge Susan Crawford in the upcoming election on April 1.
The advertisement, titled “Mission Statement,” highlights Schimel’s judicial contributions to public safety. In the ad, Schimel discusses his efforts to address a backlog of untested rape kits in Wisconsin, stating, “[I led] the sexual assault kit initiative, clearing 4,000 backlogged tests so survivors could finally get justice.” As he makes this statement, a solemn-faced woman appears on screen, footage that originates from Pond5, a stock media provider based in New York, with the specific clip available for purchase from an Italian creator for $39.
This is not the first instance of Schimel’s campaign using foreign stock footage. Other ads, such as one titled “Law School,” include stock footage from Ukraine, while another ad, “Coddling Criminals,” utilizes imagery sourced from Thailand. None of these advertisements provide disclaimers that clarify the individuals shown are actors.
Schimel’s record concerning the rape kit backlog has been a point of contention. During his tenure as Wisconsin Attorney General from 2015 to 2019, his efforts to address the backlog have been questioned. Susan Crawford, his opponent, highlighted during a press conference on February 25 that Schimel cleared only nine out of 6,000 backlogged kits in his initial two years in office, suggesting increased urgency only as his reelection approached.
This election is pivotal, as the winner will influence the ideological balance of the Wisconsin Supreme Court. The race is also predicted to be the most expensive state court race in U.S. history.
A spokesperson for Schimel’s campaign has not provided a comment regarding the ad’s content.
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