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Brad Schimel

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Brad Schimel

Brad David Schimel (born February 18, 1965) is an American attorney, former judge, and Republican politician, serving since November 2025 as the interim United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin. He previously served as the 44th attorney general of Wisconsin (2015–2019) and was an unsuccessful candidate for Wisconsin Supreme Court in the 2025 election—the most expensive judicial race in history. He also served six years as a Wisconsin circuit court judge in Waukesha County (2019–2025), and served as district attorney of Waukesha County earlier in his career. Schimel's political career began in 2006 when he was elected district attorney of Waukesha County as a Republican. He was subsequently elected attorney general in 2014, defeating Democrat Susan Happ to succeed fellow Republican J.B. Van Hollen. During his time as attorney general, Schimel advocated for anti-abortion positions and helped lead a coalition of 20 states in filing a lawsuit to overturn the Affordable Care Act. He was defeated seeking re-election in 2018 by Josh Kaul and was subsequently appointed a Wisconsin circuit court judge by outgoing Republican Governor Scott Walker. In November 2025, U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi appointed Schimel as interim United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin.

Infobox

Appointed by
Scott Walker
Preceded by
Paul Bucher
Succeeded by
Susan Opper
Governor
Scott Walker
Born
(1965-02-18) February 18, 1965 (age 60)West Allis, Wisconsin, U.S.
Political party
Republican
Spouse
Sandi Schimel
Children
2
Education
University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee (BA)University of Wisconsin–Madison (JD)
President
Donald Trump
Party
Republican

Tables

· Electoral history › Waukesha County District Attorney (2006–2012)
2006
2006
Year
2006
Election
Primary
Date
Sep. 12
Elected
Brad Schimel
Elected
Republican
Elected
20,270
Elected
57.59%
Defeated
Dennis Krueger
Defeated
Rep.
Defeated
14,917
Defeated
42.38%
Total
35,199
Plurality
5,353
General
General
Year
General
Election
Nov. 7
Date
Brad Schimel
Elected
Republican
Elected
132,967
Elected
99.39%
Elected
--unopposed--
Defeated
133,807
2008
2008
Year
2008
Election
General
Date
Nov. 4
Elected
Brad Schimel (inc)
Elected
Republican
Elected
168,330
Elected
99.57%
Defeated
169,061
2010
2010
Year
2010
Election
General
Date
Nov. 2
Elected
Brad Schimel (inc)
Elected
Republican
Elected
51,290
Elected
100.0%
Defeated
51,290
2012
2012
Year
2012
Election
General
Date
Nov. 6
Elected
Brad Schimel (inc)
Elected
Republican
Elected
158,479
Elected
99.31%
Defeated
159,575
Year
Election
Date
Elected
Defeated
Total
Plurality
2006
Primary
Sep. 12
Brad Schimel
Republican
20,270
57.59%
Dennis Krueger
Rep.
14,917
42.38%
35,199
5,353
General
Nov. 7
Brad Schimel
Republican
132,967
99.39%
--unopposed--
133,807
2008
General
Nov. 4
Brad Schimel (inc)
Republican
168,330
99.57%
169,061
2010
General
Nov. 2
Brad Schimel (inc)
Republican
51,290
100.0%
51,290
2012
General
Nov. 6
Brad Schimel (inc)
Republican
158,479
99.31%
159,575
Wisconsin Attorney General Election, 2014 · Electoral history › Wisconsin Attorney General (2014, 2018)
General Election, November 4, 2014
General Election, November 4, 2014
Party
General Election, November 4, 2014
Plurality
Plurality
Party
Plurality
Party
144,522
Candidate
6.15%
Votes
-9.51pp
Total votes
Total votes
Party
Total votes
Party
2,350,325
Candidate
100.0%
Votes
+11.26%
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
mw- ±%
General Election, November 4, 2014
Republican
Brad Schimel
1,211,388
51.54%
−6.25pp
Democratic
Susan V. Happ
1,066,866
45.39%
+3.26pp
Independent
Thomas A. Nelson Sr.
70,951
3.02%
Scattering
1,120
0.05%
−0.03pp
Plurality
144,522
6.15%
-9.51pp
Total votes
2,350,325
100.0%
+11.26%
Republican hold
Wisconsin Attorney General Election, 2018 · Electoral history › Wisconsin Attorney General (2014, 2018)
General Election, November 6, 2018
General Election, November 6, 2018
Party
General Election, November 6, 2018
Plurality
Plurality
Party
Plurality
Party
17,190
Candidate
0.65%
Votes
-5.50pp
Total votes
Total votes
Party
Total votes
Party
2,642,851
Candidate
100.0%
Votes
+12.45%
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
±%
General Election, November 6, 2018
Democratic
Josh Kaul
1,305,902
49.41%
+4.02pp
Republican
Brad Schimel (incumbent)
1,288,712
48.76%
−2.78pp
Constitution
Terry Larson
47,038
1.78%
Scattering
1,199
0.05%
Plurality
17,190
0.65%
-5.50pp
Total votes
2,642,851
100.0%
+12.45%
Democratic gain from Republican
Wisconsin Circuit Court, Waukesha Circuit, Branch 6 Election, 2019[64] · Electoral history › Wisconsin Circuit Court (2019)
General Election, April 2, 2019
General Election, April 2, 2019
Party
General Election, April 2, 2019
Total votes
Total votes
Party
Total votes
Party
83,151
Candidate
100.0%
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
±%
General Election, April 2, 2019
Nonpartisan
Brad Schimel (incumbent)
81,363
97.84%
Scattering
1,788
2.16%
Total votes
83,151
100.0%
· Electoral history › Wisconsin Supreme Court (2025)
2025
2025
Year
2025
Election
General
Date
Apr. 1
Elected
Susan Crawford
Elected
Nonpartisan
Elected
1,301,137
Elected
55.02%
Defeated
Brad Schimel
Defeated
Non.
Defeated
1,062,330
Defeated
44.92%
Total
2,364,887
Plurality
238,807
Year
Election
Date
Elected
Defeated
Total
Plurality
2025
General
Apr. 1
Susan Crawford
Nonpartisan
1,301,137
55.02%
Brad Schimel
Non.
1,062,330
44.92%
2,364,887
238,807
· External links
Preceded byJ. B. Van Hollen
Preceded byJ. B. Van Hollen
Party political offices
Preceded byJ. B. Van Hollen
Party political offices
Republican nominee for Attorney General of Wisconsin 2014, 2018
Party political offices
Succeeded byEric Toney
Legal offices
Legal offices
Party political offices
Legal offices
Preceded byJ. B. Van Hollen
Preceded byJ. B. Van Hollen
Party political offices
Preceded byJ. B. Van Hollen
Party political offices
Attorney General of Wisconsin 2015–2019
Party political offices
Succeeded byJosh Kaul
Party political offices
Preceded byJ. B. Van Hollen
Republican nominee for Attorney General of Wisconsin 2014, 2018
Succeeded byEric Toney
Legal offices
Preceded byJ. B. Van Hollen
Attorney General of Wisconsin 2015–2019
Succeeded byJosh Kaul

References

  1. Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
    https://jsonline.com/story/news/politics/elections/2025/02/12/wisconsin-supreme-court-candidates-share-contrasting-views-on-abortion/78304269007/
  2. Wisconsin Watch
    https://wisconsinwatch.org/2025/02/wisconsin-supreme-court-brad-schimel-affordable-care-act-attorney-general/
  3. www.texasattorneygeneral.gov
    https://www.texasattorneygeneral.gov/news/releases/ag-paxton-and-wisconsin-ag-file-20-state-lawsuit-end-grip-obamacare-texas-and-nation
  4. "State of Wisconsin Blue Book 2015/2016"
    https://search.library.wisc.edu/digital/AHU4J4VNDFI6BF8H/pages/AVB7JNW5SHI6SQ8C
  5. "With Many Voters Still Undecided, Videos of Lubar Center "Get to Know" Programs of Supreme Court Candidates Can Help"
    https://law.marquette.edu/facultyblog/
  6. "Hon. Brad David Schimel: Circuit Court Judge, Waukesha County, Wisconsin"
    https://fedsoc.org/contributors/brad-schimel
  7. "Brad Schimel"
    https://ballotpedia.org/Brad_Schimel
  8. "Schimel family honored for contributions to Family Service of Waukesha"
    https://archive.waukeshanow.com/news/schimel-family-honored-for-service-b9942920z1-214027791.html
  9. Ballotpedia
    https://ballotpedia.org/Brad_Schimel
  10. "Donor Lookup"
    https://www.opensecrets.org/donor-lookup/results?name=Brad+Schimel&cycle=&state=WI&zip=&employ=&occupation=&jurisdiction=&cand=&type=
  11. "Waukesha County DA announces attorney general candidacy"
    https://www.twincities.com/2013/10/14/waukesha-county-da-announces-attorney-general-candidacy/
  12. "Hon. Brad David Schimel: Circuit Court Judge, Waukesha County, Wisconsin"
    https://fedsoc.org/contributors/brad-schimel
  13. "Candidate Q&A: Attorney general"
    https://www.wiscnews.com/bdc/news/local/govt-and-politics/candidate-q-a-attorney-general/article_f72abaef-ef62-509f-9734-9a00ec0d8ade.html
  14. "The Joker"
    https://www.milwaukeemag.com/TheJoker/
  15. https://www.wicourts.gov/ca/opinion/DisplayDocument.html?content=html&seqNo=16322
    https://www.wicourts.gov/ca/opinion/DisplayDocument.html?content=html&seqNo=16322
  16. https://www.wicourts.gov/ca/opinion/DisplayDocument.html?content=html&seqNo=3260
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  17. Wisconsin DOJ https://www.doj.state.wi.us/exec-profile/brad-d-schimel
    https://www.doj.state.wi.us/exec-profile/brad-d-schimel
  18. Patrick Marley. "J. B. Van Hollen won't seek third term as attorney general". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel October 7, 2013
    http://archive.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/jb-van-hollen-wont-seek-third-term-as-attorney-general-b99114726z1-226746901.html
  19. Waukesha Freeman
    https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-freeman-schimel/166338092/
  20. Waukesha Freeman
    https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-freeman-schimel/166338304/
  21. Host.madison.com
    https://host.madison.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/elections/republican-attorney-general-j-b-van-hollen-endorses-gop-candidate/article_7cc8b02c-2b0c-5db5-95d0-bfcfe7bec225.html
  22. NRA-PVF
    https://web.archive.org/web/20141104210424/https://www.nrapvf.org/grades/wisconsin/
  23. WPR
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  24. Fox6now.com
    http://fox6now.com/2014/11/04/attorney-general-race-brad-schimel-casts-ballot-tuesday-morning-hell-be-in-waukesha-tuesday-night
  25. The New York Times
    https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/25/us/brendan-dassey-supreme-court.html
  26. "The Latest: Attorney Vows to Keep Fighting for Dassey"
    https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/wisconsin/articles/2018-06-25/the-latest-attorney-vows-to-keep-fighting-for-dassey
  27. WGBA
    https://www.nbc26.com/news/schimel-supreme-court-shouldnt-review-dassey-confession
  28. Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin, Inc. v. Schimel
    https://cite.case.law/f3d/806/908/
  29. Wisconsin Public Radio
    https://www.wpr.org/supreme-court-rejects-wisconsins-abortion-law-appeal
  30. Wisconsin State Journal
    https://madison.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/federal-judges-panel-finds-state-redistricting-plan-an-unconstitutional-gerrymander/article_c7a71b38-b98c-5b9f-aef5-908cc72ee068.html
  31. Roll Call
    https://www.rollcall.com/news/policy/supreme-court-hear-case-partisan-redistricting
  32. Wisconsin State Journal
    https://madison.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/u-s-supreme-court-decision-leaves-wisconsin-gerrymandering-case-with-few-prospects/article_72ef834b-e3f0-58ae-b6e2-3162db6cafa8.html
  33. Wisconsin Public Radio
    https://www.wpr.org/us-supreme-court-ruling-effectively-ends-wisconsin-gerrymandering-challenge
  34. Steven Verburg, Attorney General Brad Schimel settles without fine in 3M pollution case, Wisconsin State Journal, March
    https://madison.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/attorney-general-brad-schimel-settles-without-fine-in-m-pollution/article_d51ddb8e-3857-5421-aa98-4580fbcc53c2.html
  35. https://archive.jsonline.com/news/cops-foundation-clash-on-importance-of-untested-rape-kits-b99366126z1-278309481.html/
    https://archive.jsonline.com/news/cops-foundation-clash-on-importance-of-untested-rape-kits-b99366126z1-278309481.html/
  36. Bruce Murphy. "Murphy's Law: Schimel Haunted By Rape Kit Issue » Urban Milwaukee". Urban Milwaukee January 29th, 2025.
    https://urbanmilwaukee.com/2025/01/29/murphys-law-schimel-haunted-by-rape-kit-issue/
  37. https://wisaki.doj.wi.gov/article/attorney-general-announces-technical-review-sexual-assault-kit-testing-results-are-com
    https://wisaki.doj.wi.gov/article/attorney-general-announces-technical-review-sexual-assault-kit-testing-results-are-complete
  38. https://spectrumnews1.com/wi/milwaukee/news/2025/02/20/state-supreme-court-attack-ads-ramp-up
    https://spectrumnews1.com/wi/milwaukee/news/2025/02/20/state-supreme-court-attack-ads-ramp-up
  39. https://captimes.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/victim-advocate-groups-praise-wisconsin-department-of-justice-on-rape-
    https://captimes.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/victim-advocate-groups-praise-wisconsin-department-of-justice-on-rape-kit-testing-democrats-say-it/article_109aef5b-65cd-5b69-a530-1e25ff4ed93f.html
  40. Associated Press News
    https://apnews.com/559cbcd993934a49a3558080a3edff10
  41. Associated Press News
    https://apnews.com/article/d2072483ea3140618c12299a21c6b5eb
  42. Daniel Bice, Supreme Court chief justice banished Judge Brad Schimel from his own courtroom after he refused to wear mas
    https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/2020/10/09/chief-justice-banished-judge-brad-schimel-his-courtroom-mask-dispute/5936488002/
  43. Daniel Bice, Judge Brad Schimel defends emcee role GOP event featuring Sen. Ron Johnson, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (Oct
    https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/investigations/daniel-bice/2020/10/08/judge-brad-schimel-defends-emcee-role-gop-event-featuring-ron-johnson/5910472002/
  44. Bruce Murphy, Did Brad Schimel Break the Law?: He emceed political fundraiser. State law prevents judges from all politi
    https://urbanmilwaukee.com/2020/10/03/murphys-law-did-brad-schimel-break-the-law/
  45. Katherine Beck and Jake Ekdahl, Trump motivates voters at rally in Waukesha, Greater Milwaukee Today (October 24, 2020).
    https://www.gmtoday.com/news/trump-frames-election-as-choice-between-boom-and-lockdown-at-waukesha-rally/article_2892d1e4-1672-11eb-ad98-63985d599b31.html
  46. Wispolitics.com
    https://www.wispolitics.com/2023/lazar-still-mulling-25-supreme-court-bid-as-schimel-prepares-to-launch-campaign/
  47. Wispolitics.com
    https://www.wispolitics.com/2023/schimel-launches-25-bid-for-state-supreme-court/
  48. Wisconsin Justice Initiative
    https://www.wjiinc.org/blog/schimel-is-all-in-for-supreme-court-race
  49. "Zach Wittchow wins Waukesha County circuit court judge Branch 6 race"
    https://www.wuwm.com/2025-03-05/meet-the-candidates-for-waukesha-county-circuit-court-judge-branch-6-on-the-april-1-ballot
  50. Wisconsin Right Now
    https://www.wisconsinrightnow.com/brad-schimel-endorses-zach-wittchow-david-maas-for-waukesha-judge/
  51. Waukesha Freeman
    https://www.gmtoday.com/the_freeman/news/schimel-public-service-impact/article_951ab514-2705-5ec5-a7f6-d7a7c080a452.html
  52. WISN-TV
    https://www.wisn.com/article/crawford-schimel-clash-over-musk-soros-money-in-59-million-court-race/64176457
  53. Minnesota Star Tribune
    https://www.startribune.com/democrats-promise-to-punch-back-against-musk-in-wisconsin-court-race/601230703
  54. Elon Musk’s quest for power has a new target: Wisconsin’s supreme court, David Smith, Sun 2 Mar 2025
    https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/mar/02/elon-musk-wisconsin
  55. Journal Sentinel
    https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/politics/elections/2025/02/17/elon-musk-group-buys-tv-ads-backing-brad-schimel-for-supreme-court/78976985007/
  56. Wispolitics.com
    https://www.wispolitics.com/2025/supreme-court-race-spending-tops-76-million-with-two-weeks-to-go/
  57. NRA-PVF
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  58. Wisconsin Public Radio
    https://www.wpr.org/politics/brad-schimel-sworn-in-top-federal-prosecutor-eastern-district-wisconsin
  59. Wispolitics.com
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  61. The New York Times
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  62. CBS58
    https://www.cbs58.com/news/schimel-supports-presidential-pardons-defends-jan-6-rioters
  63. AP News
    https://apnews.com/article/wisconsin-supreme-court-trump-schimel-pardon-bbe23e8968fe3bc3b1bad372e8285b8b
  64. Election Results 2019
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  65. Canvass Results for 2025 Spring Election - 4/1/2025
    https://elections.wi.gov/sites/default/files/documents/April%201%202025%20Spring%20Election_Summary%20Results.pdf
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