While Wisconsin typically holds its spring elections in early April, the 1996 spring general election was held on March 19. This is because in March 1995, Governor Tommy Thompson signed into law a bill moving both the 1996 spring general election and the state's presidential primaries from April 2 to March 19 in order to align its primary with the Illinois, Michigan, and Ohio primaries held on that day. This was done in hopes that Wisconsin can join these fellow Midwestern states in a so-called "Big Ten primary" held shortly-following the southern Super Tuesday in the major party primary calendars.[2]
Crooks supported the idea of creating a business court in the state. He also beleived that the state's legal system needed to focus more on juvenile crime, and was a supporter of truth in sentencing laws.[3] Fine criticized the court for issue too many unanimous and near-unanimous decisions, believing that this indicated a lack of intellectual debate on the court about cases that were being heard. Fine also criticized the court as being lazy, arguing that the 75 cases it had issued in its previous term was too few. Fine was a critic of plea bargains and supported allowing judge substitution on demand (without cause).[3]
After Crooks and Fine both advanced past the seven-candidate primary, Crooks hired Scott Jenson (the Republican majority leader of the State Assembly) to be his campaign manager. Fine filed a complaint with the state Ethics Board over this, accusing Jensen of utilizing his public office to secure financial gain. Fine focused his general election campaign criticisms on Crooks' acceptance of campaign contributions from special interests, and pledged that (in contrast) he would not be accepting campaign contributions or endorsements from special interests. He also questioned whether Crooks could be a neutral justice on matters involved the state legislature (due to Jensen's role in his campaign) or special interests (due to campaign contributions). Crooks argued that he and his campaign was not beholden to others because he enjoyed a broad base of support from many different groups and individuals, including groups that often came into political conflict with each other. Claiming he had a big tent of support, Crooks remarked, "we are receiving support from all sides".[3]
^Barish, Lawrence S., ed. (1997). "Elections in Wisconsin". State of Wisconsin 1997-1998 Blue Book (Report). State of Wisconsin. pp. 869–870. Retrieved January 5, 2020.
.jpg)
