Tea party, labor spend big in Wis. high court race (Prosser vs Kloppenburg)

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2011/04/03/general-us-wisconsin-supreme-court-election_8388766.html

By DINESH RAMDE , 04.03.11, 02:13 PM EDT

MILWAUKEE -- Pro-labor organizations and one of the country's largest tea party groups are pouring money into next week's Wisconsin Supreme Court election.

The efforts are turning Tuesday's normally sleepy race into a referendum on the national fight over union rights.

Groups on both sides are spending so much money the election is on pace to be the state's most expensive high court race. Sarah Palin even tweeted her support for Justice David Prosser, the incumbent conservative.

Prosser is being challenged by Assistant Attorney General JoAnne Kloppenburg.

The unusual level of interest shows passions remain inflamed over Republican Gov. Scott Walker's collective bargaining law.

Conservative organizations are outspending liberal groups by about 20 percent, but that could change in the campaign's final days as spending is expected to hit a frenzied pace.

[iwishiwas]

1. I just hope that the protests can tranlate into increased numbers at the polls for JoAnne.