Hijacking Campaign 2023 | Independent Expenditures | Issue Ads | Candidates | Campaign 2023
Posted: April 2, 2023
Updated: March 25, 2024
Based in Mission, Kansas, this rightward leaning organization touts itself as an advocate for the country's "hunting heritage." Among the organization's key issues are gun ownership and wolf hunting. The group's national spokesperson, rock musician Ted Nugent, was on the board of the National Rifle Assocation for 26 years. Among its board members is the Republican attorney general for Kansas Kris Kobach.
Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge Janet Protasiewicz, supported by liberal groups, faced former Wisconsin State Supreme Court Justice Daniel Kelly in the April 4 election for the open ten-year seat. Kelly, originally appointed to the high court by former Republican Gov. Scott Walker, was supported by conservatives.
The Wisconsin State Supreme Court's ideological balance was up for grabs in the election with the retirement of one of the court's 4-3 conservative majority.
Protasiewicz won the election and joined the court in August.
At the end of March, Hunters Nation announced its support for Kelly and subsequently reported spending nearly $52,000 for phone calls and online advertising in the cause. The ad (no longer available) features Nugent claiming "soft on crime Janet will take your guns, limit your hunting, and destroy the traditional American values we hold dear."
After reporting its initital expenditure, the group subsequently reported spending nearly another $50,000 for phone calls and online advertising.
This organization is an unregistered independent expenditure committee that is required to report any such spending done within 60 days of a primary or an election to the Wisconsin Ethics Commission per Chapter 11, Subchapter X of Wisconsin Statutes.