Most Talked-About Controversies Linked to Brad Schimel

Controversies are a part of history. Explore the biggest scandals linked to Brad Schimel.

Brad Schimel is an American attorney, judge, and Republican politician from Wisconsin. He currently serves as a Wisconsin circuit court judge in Waukesha County since 2019. Before becoming a judge, Schimel was the 44th attorney general of Wisconsin from 2015 to 2019. Prior to his role as attorney general, he served as the district attorney of Waukesha County from 2007 to 2015.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements Controversies & Scandals

2011: Enactment of Wisconsin's Legislative Map

In 2011, Wisconsin's legislative map was enacted, later found to be an unconstitutional partisan gerrymander.

January 2015: Inherited Untested Sexual Assault Kits

In January 2015, Brad Schimel inherited 6,006 untested sexual assault kits (SAKs) upon assuming office as Wisconsin Attorney General.

November 2015: Appeal Ruling Upheld by 7th Circuit

In November 2015, Brad Schimel's appeal of the district court decision on abortion provisions was upheld by the 7th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals.

November 2016: Wisconsin's Legislative Map Found Unconstitutional

In November 2016, a three-judge panel of federal judges found that Wisconsin's legislative map, enacted in 2011, was an unconstitutional partisan gerrymander.

March 29, 2017: Settlement with 3M Company

On March 29, 2017, the Wisconsin State Journal reported that Attorney General Schimel reached a settlement with 3M Company over pollution violations without fining the company.

2017: Claim and Admission Regarding SAK Testing

In early 2017, Brad Schimel claimed to have tested "hundreds" of untested sexual assault kits, but two days later, spokeswoman Rebecca Ballweg admitted that only nine kits had been tested.

November 2018: Appointed to Waukesha County Circuit Court

In November 2018, after being defeated for reelection, Brad Schimel was appointed by Republican Governor Scott Walker to the Waukesha County Circuit Court.

2019: Supreme Court Sided With Wisconsin Republicans

In 2019, the Supreme Court gave its opinion in the case Gill v. Whitford, siding with Wisconsin Republicans and ruling that the plaintiffs had not demonstrated personal harm, and therefore did not have standing to challenge the map.

October 2020: Emceed Republican Party Fundraising Event

In October 2020, Brad Schimel was an emcee at an Ozaukee County Republican Party fundraising event, prompting criticism due to state law regarding partisan political activity for judges.