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Abrahamson outspends opponent 4-to-1

State Supreme Court chief justice holds a large lead over challenger Koschnick in campaign fundraising

State Supreme Court Chief Justice Shirley Abrahamson earned four times more in her fundraising efforts between early February and last week than her challenger, Jefferson County Judge Randy Koschnick, according to figures released Monday.

Abrahamson’s campaign reported raising $290,319 between Feb. 3 and March 23, including the $50,000 Abrahamson loaned her campaign. Overall, Abrahamson has earned more than $1.3 million during her re-election campaign.

At the end of the reporting period on March 23, Abrahamson had spent more than $1 million and had $176,253 worth of funds on-hand, according to campaign figures.

Meanwhile, Koschnick earned $70,335 during the same period and $124,008 overall. Koschnick spent $53,774 and had $62,091 worth of funds on-hand, campaign figures stated.

Abrahamson’s earnings have come from more than 5,000 donors, Abrahamson spokesperson Heather Colburn said.

“Donations have come from all geographic parts of Wisconsin — all walks of life, all political parties, all professions,” Colburn said.

According to Colburn, the campaign will be holding its final fundraising event today in Milwaukee for “low-dollar donors.”

Like Abrahamson, Koschnick also plans to hold future fundraising events, according to his campaign advisor Seamus Flaherty. Flaherty added Koschnick also held fundraising events last week after the end of the reporting period that were successful.

This week, the campaign will hold invitational events for Koschnick supporters as well as events at law firms throughout the state, according to Flaherty.

Like Abrahamson, Koschnick’s supporters come from all professions around the state, Flaherty added.

“They come from all walks of life — law enforcement, district attorneys, housewives, doctors, people in the agriculture profession — it’s really a cross section of Wisconsin life,” Flaherty said.

Koschnick has been serving as a Jefferson County Circuit Court Judge for the last decade. Prior to his time on the circuit court, he served 14 years as a public defender in La Crosse County and Jefferson County.

Abrahamson has been serving on the state Supreme Court since 1976.