Brad Schimel has long been a towering figure in Wisconsin’s legal and political arenas, carving out a career that spans decades of public service. From his gritty beginnings as a prosecutor to his high-profile tenure as Wisconsin’s Attorney General, and later as a Waukesha County judge, Schimel’s journey is a testament to his unwavering commitment to justice and conservative values. Yet, his story reached a dramatic turning point in 2025 when he lost a fiercely contested race for the Wisconsin Supreme Court to Susan Crawford—a defeat that capped off one of the most expensive judicial elections in American history. This biography dives deep into Schimel’s life, exploring his roots, his rise, and the rollercoaster of his 2025 campaign, all while painting a vivid, human portrait of a man who’s worn many hats: prosecutor, judge, musician, and family man.
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Early Life and Education: A Wisconsin Native’s Foundation
Brad Schimel’s story begins in the heart of America’s Dairyland—Wisconsin. Born and raised in the Badger State, he grew up with a front-row seat to the values of hard work and community that define the Midwest. His passion for law and governance took root early, leading him to the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in political science in 1987. But Schimel wasn’t done learning. Hungry to make a real impact, he headed to the University of Wisconsin Law School in Madison, graduating with his Juris Doctor (J.D.) in 1990. Those years of hitting the books weren’t just about getting a degree—they were about building the foundation for a career that would shape Wisconsin’s legal landscape.
Career as a Prosecutor: The Making of a Tough-on-Crime Reputation
Fresh out of law school, Schimel didn’t waste any time diving into the action. In 1990, he joined the Waukesha County District Attorney’s office as an Assistant District Attorney, ready to take on the gritty world of criminal prosecution. For 16 years, he battled it out in the courtroom, tackling everything from petty crimes to serious felonies. Colleagues and defendants alike took note: Schimel was tough, relentless, and good at what he did. By 2006, his reputation earned him a promotion—voters elected him Waukesha County District Attorney, a role he held until 2014.
As DA, Schimel doubled down on public safety, pushing a no-nonsense approach to crime that won him fans among law enforcement. Groups like the Waukesha County Police Chiefs Association and the Milwaukee Police Association would later sing his praises during his Supreme Court run, a nod to the respect he’d earned on the front lines. Those years weren’t glamorous, but they were formative—Schimel was forging the “tough on crime” identity that would define his political future.
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Wisconsin Attorney General (2015-2019): A Statewide Stage
In 2014, Schimel decided it was time to take his talents statewide. Running as a Republican, he threw his hat in the ring for Wisconsin Attorney General—and won. Sworn in in 2015, he stepped into the role of the state’s top law enforcement officer, ready to tackle big issues with the same grit he’d shown in Waukesha. His four-year term was anything but quiet.
Schimel made headlines defending Wisconsin’s voter ID law, arguing it was a common-sense way to protect election integrity. He also joined a pack of Republican AGs in a lawsuit to dismantle the Affordable Care Act, staking out a firm conservative stance. On abortion, he didn’t shy away from the fight—back in 2012, he’d signed a legal white paper pushing to criminalize the intentional destruction of unborn life unless a mother’s life was at stake, and as AG, he appealed a Planned Parenthood lawsuit over hospital admission rules for abortion providers. Pro-life to the core, Schimel wasn’t afraid to put his principles on the line.
But it wasn’t all smooth sailing. Critics hammered him over a backlog of untested rape kits during his tenure—a controversy that stuck to him like glue and would come back to haunt him in 2025. Still, Schimel stood his ground, preaching a gospel of constitutional fidelity and law-and-order values that kept his base fired up.
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Judicial Career in Waukesha County: A New Chapter
Schimel’s AG run hit a wall in 2018 when he lost his reelection bid to Democrat Josh Kaul. But he didn’t stay down for long. In 2019, then-Governor Scott Walker tapped him to serve as a circuit court judge in Waukesha County—a lifeline that kept him in the game. Voters liked what they saw, reelecting him to the bench later on. As a judge, Schimel swapped the prosecutor’s table for the gavel, presiding over cases with the same steady hand he’d always brought to the law. It was a quieter gig than the AG’s office, but it kept him sharp—and set the stage for his next big move.
2025 Wisconsin Supreme Court Election: The Fight of His Life
By 2025, Schimel was ready to swing for the fences. With liberal Justice Ann Walsh Bradley retiring, a seat opened up on the Wisconsin Supreme Court—and Schimel saw his shot. He jumped into the race in November 2023, vowing to flip the court’s 4-3 liberal majority back to conservative control. What followed was a bare-knuckle brawl that smashed records and grabbed national headlines.
The stakes couldn’t have been higher. With over $100 million poured into the campaign, it became the priciest judicial race in U.S. history. Schimel, backed by the Republican machine, scored endorsements from heavy hitters like Donald Trump, who saw the race as a chance to flex conservative muscle. Elon Musk’s America PAC dumped millions into Schimel’s war chest, tying his candidacy to Trump’s MAGA agenda. Schimel leaned hard into the “tough on crime” playbook, blasting liberal justices for what he called judicial overreach. “Are any of our rights safe from a high court that puts their own opinions above the law?” he asked voters, framing himself as a constitutional bulldog.
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His opponent, Dane County Judge Susan Crawford, came out swinging for the Democrats. She zeroed in on hot-button issues like abortion rights, worker protections, and fair elections, painting Schimel as a Trump-Musk puppet. The rape kit backlog? Crawford’s team dragged it back into the spotlight, hammering Schimel’s record. Redistricting and voting rules fueled the fire too—Schimel’s past defense of GOP-drawn maps and voter ID laws became ammo for the left, who accused him of rigging the system.
The campaign was a circus. Schimel’s band, “4 on the Floor,” rocked out at his kickoff, adding a splash of personality to the slugfest. Musk’s cash and Trump’s tweets kept the national spotlight blazing. But when the votes rolled in, Crawford pulled off the upset, clinching the seat and locking in the court’s liberal edge. For Schimel, it was a gut punch—a high-stakes loss in a race that had everything on the line.
Personal Life and Interests: The Man Behind the Robe
Brad Schimel isn’t just a suit and tie. He’s a dad to two daughters, a role he’s worn proudly through the political storms. When Trump’s “Access Hollywood” tape dropped in 2016, Schimel stood by him, saying, “I’m the father of two daughters. My daughters look up to me, and I don’t like hearing anyone talk that way about women. But Donald Trump will appoint judges who will defend our Constitution and respect our Constitution.” It was a tightrope walk—balancing family values with fierce loyalty to Trump’s judicial vision.
Off the bench, Schimel’s got a creative streak. He plays in “4 on the Floor,” a band that’s brought a little rock ‘n’ roll to his campaign trail. Whether he’s strumming a guitar or banging out a ruling, Schimel’s a guy who keeps things real—rooted in his Wisconsin community and unafraid to show his human side.
Conclusion: A Legacy of Grit and Principle
Brad Schimel’s career is a wild ride through Wisconsin’s legal and political trenches. From prosecuting crooks in Waukesha to leading the state as Attorney General, and later donning a judge’s robe, he’s left his mark with a fierce dedication to conservative ideals. His 2025 Supreme Court loss to Susan Crawford may have closed one chapter, but it doesn’t erase the story of a man who’s fought tooth and nail for law, order, and the Constitution. Love him or hate him, Schimel’s journey is pure American grit—a tale of ambition, resilience, and a belief in justice that’s as steady as a Midwest winter
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