History of Brad Schimel in Timeline

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.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Controversies & Scandals

February 18, 1965: Brad Schimel's Birth

On February 18, 1965, Brad David Schimel was born. He is an American attorney, judge, and Republican politician.

Others born on this day/year

1987: Graduation from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

In 1987, Brad Schimel graduated with a bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee.

1990: Started as Assistant District Attorney

In 1990, Brad Schimel began his career as an assistant district attorney at the Waukesha County District Attorney’s Office.

1990: Obtained Juris Doctor Degree

In 1990, Brad Schimel obtained his Juris Doctor degree from the University of Wisconsin Law School.

2006: Elected Waukesha County District Attorney

In 2006, Brad Schimel was elected as the Waukesha County District Attorney.

2008: Re-elected Waukesha County District Attorney

In 2008, Brad Schimel was re-elected as Waukesha County District Attorney without opposition.

2010: Re-elected Waukesha County District Attorney

In 2010, Brad Schimel was re-elected as Waukesha County District Attorney without opposition.

2011: Enactment of Wisconsin's Legislative Map

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

2012: Re-elected Waukesha County District Attorney

In 2012, Brad Schimel was re-elected as Waukesha County District Attorney without opposition.

October 7, 2013: Announcement of Consideration for Attorney General Run

On October 7, 2013, after Wisconsin's then-attorney general, J. B. Van Hollen, announced he would not run for a third term in 2014, Brad Schimel announced that he was considering a run to succeed Van Hollen and announced his campaign less than a week later.

2013: Abortion provisions struck down

In 2013, the abortion-limiting provisions of Act 37, requiring abortion providers to have admitting privileges at a nearby hospital, were struck down by a federal judge.

2014: Elected Attorney General of Wisconsin

In 2014, Brad Schimel defeated Democrat Susan Happ in the general election to become the Attorney General of Wisconsin.

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.

September 2015: Secured Federal Grants for SAK Testing

In September 2015, Brad Schimel's office secured $4,000,000 in federal grants to address the backlog of untested sexual assault kits.

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.

June 2018: Tested 1,900 Sexual Assault Kits

By June 2018, Brad Schimel's office had tested 1,900 sexual assault kits out of the now-grown 6,800 untested kits.

September 2018: Tests Cleared After Receiving Grant Funding

In September 2018, Brad Schimel announced that all but five of the eligible tests had been cleared after receiving about $7,000,000 total in grant funding.

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.