The two candidates for Wisconsin Supreme Court justice will hold their first debate Thursday afternoon in Green Bay.

The nonpartisan campaign pits current Chief Justice Shirley Abrahamson against Jefferson County Judge Randy Koschnick. The winner will serve a 10-year term on the court.

While the elections are supposed to be apolitical, Abrahamson, who has won three consecutive terms since her appointment in 1976, identifies with the Democratic Party while Koschnick identifies with the Republican Party.

During the debates, candidates are not allowed to state their personal opinions on individual issues, making judicial debates different from those in legislative races. Candidates instead discuss their philosophies and judicial records, which are often used to foreshadow how they will interpret the law once they sit on the bench.

The debates are a chance for voters to engage with the candidates and help the public decide which will be more impartial while representing the values of Wisconsin as a whole.

Although judges in Wisconsin run on a nonpartisan platform, the 2007 and 2008 races were overshadowed by special interest groups that funded vast attack campaigns against candidates. This led to accusations by reform groups that the campaign had nothing to do with candidates’ qualifications.

“These races are not supposed to be partisan,” Wisconsin Common Cause Director Jay Heck said. “This is supposed to be about which of the candidates have better judicial qualifications and temperament.”

Both campaigns agree the candidates should represent Wisconsin‘s values, but the attacks have already begun.

Koschnick has called Abrahamson an activist who fails to give proper respect and deference to the Legislature. He has also said she has given criminal defendants too many rights.

“The people of Wisconsin have said repeatedly with their votes that they don’t want activists on their courts,” Koschnick spokesperson Seamus Flaherty said. “Judge Koschnick’s record will show that he is the type of judge the people of Wisconsin prefer.”

Abrahamson has decided to rely on her experience speak for itself.

“[Abrahamson] shares the same values of Wisconsinites and will protect their interests as they move throughout the system,” Abrahamson spokesperson Heather Colburn said. “She’s been the chief justice for decades, so she really knows what she stands for and what it means to be on the court.”

One of the major special interest groups from previous races, Wisconsin Manufacturing and Commerce, said Wednesday it will not support either candidate, according to Heck.

“Whether or not other groups will jump in remains to be seen,” Heck said. “My hope is that this particular election will not be a nasty race in which outside groups are calling the shots.”

Abrahamson’s campaign announced Wednesday it has raised $588,256, while Koschnick’s campaign is currently compiling its figures and has not yet released any results.

“We are in the process of formulating the campaign finance report and have not had the chance to develop any concrete figures,” said Tristan Cook, a spokesperson for Koschnick.

The election will be held April 7.