Wisconsin REALTORS® Association: Brad Schimel: The WRA’s Pick for Property Rights on the Wisconsin Supreme Court

Brad Schimel: The WRA’s Pick for Property Rights on the Wisconsin Supreme Court

 Nathan Conrad, WRA Director of Local and Grassroots Advocacy  |    March 03, 2025
Schimel

The WRA has endorsed Waukesha County Circuit Court Judge Brad Schimel for the Wisconsin Supreme Court because of his record on property rights and real estate issues. The general election will be held on April 1, 2025.

Judge Schimel was appointed to the Waukesha County Circuit Court in 2018 by then-Gov. Scott Walker and was elected to the position in 2019. Before serving as a circuit court judge, he was Wisconsin’s 44th Attorney General from 2015 to 2019. Schimel began his legal career as a prosecutor in Waukesha County, where he was elected District Attorney three times.

The WRA’s strategic advocacy group interviewed Judge Schimel and recommended to the WRA board of directors a Schimel endorsement for the Wisconsin Supreme Court. The board of directors subsequently voted to endorse Judge Brad Schimel.

The WRA’s endorsement process 

The WRA’s endorsement decision was based on a thorough review of both candidates running for Wisconsin Supreme Court. The process included reviewing the candidates’ records, evaluating their responses to a written questionnaire, and conducting direct interviews for the soon-to-be open seat on the Wisconsin Supreme Court. In the end, Judge Schimel’s record on property rights and real estate issues along with his commitment to applying the law as written even in scenarios of personal disagreement earned him the endorsement. 

Schimel’s record on real estate issues

Schimel has consistently supported property rights and economic development. As Attorney General, he supported the real estate industry on key issues, including:

Tax increment financing (TIF)

Under Schimel’s leadership, the Department of Justice (DOJ) filed an amicus curiae brief, or a “friend of the court” brief, and participated in oral arguments in the monumental case Voters with Facts v. City of Eau Claire before the Wisconsin Supreme Court. This case involved TIF that could have allowed every discretionary TIF decision made by local officials to be evaluated 
by courts.

Sprinkler requirement for multifamily dwellings 

Schimel issued an Attorney General’s opinion, which is a legal opinion binding on state agencies, invalidating an existing commercial building code rule that required sprinklers on all multifamily buildings with four or more units, when the statutes required sprinklers in multifamily buildings containing more than 20 units.

Regulatory takings

As Attorney General, Schimel filed an amicus brief in McKee v. City of Fitchburg, a case involving regulatory taking, arguing that the Wisconsin Supreme Court should recognize the partial takings standard established by the U.S. Supreme Court in Penn Central v. City of New York.

Substandard lots

As Attorney General and representing the state, Schimel was a party in the Murr v. State of Wisconsin case in the U.S. Supreme Court. The DOJ argued that lot-merger issues should be determined by looking at state law, which was a favorable viewpoint from the WRA’s perspective.

Schimel is committed to the rule of law and the principle that the judiciary should interpret laws rather than create policy. He believes judges must apply the law as written, regardless of personal opinions, to ensure fairness, consistency and respect for the constitutional separation of powers. With a track record of upholding the law throughout his career, Schimel is dedicated to maintaining judicial integrity and reinforcing public confidence in the legal system.

The WRA has a history of supporting candidates who support REALTOR® priorities. The endorsement of Judge Brad Schimel by the board of directors continues the organization’s longstanding history of supporting candidates who support our issues.

Vote for Brad Schimel on April 1

Election day is April 1, and early in-person voting may begin as early as the week of March 18 in your community.

To confirm your polling location or voting status, check with your local clerk or visit myvote.wi.gov.

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