National spotlight intensifying on Wisconsin on eve of Supreme Court election

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- The most expensive state Supreme Court race in United States history is ramping up to a big finish in Wisconsin.

The race is also viewed as one of the most consequential in the country.

Daniel Kelly held seven campaign events Monday and 25 since Friday, an indication of how seriously his team is working in these final few days.

Janet Protasiewicz developed a respiratory infection over the weekend that temporarily knocked her off the campaign trail, but her surrogates picked up the baton in her stead.

The two candidates are under an intense, national microscope.

The race for Wisconsin's Supreme Court seat is dominating the airwaves, not just locally, but the race is also attracting lots of attention from major outlets from coast to coast.

With the fate of the state's 1849 abortion law hanging in limbo, most analysts expect the race to determine the future of abortion rights in Wisconsin, which could create a legal model for other states to follow.

Additionally, legal challenges to state voting maps are expected. And election integrity and voting rights could also be determined.

Protasiewicz's team said the interest is in Wisconsin's issues.

Sam Roecker, a campaign spokesperson, said, "Of course there's national interest in a swing state like this, just given the implications down the road. Even the 2024 presidential election."

But Kelly said the attention is because of Protasiewicz. "I think it tells us there's something brand new going on here. That there's a candidate who proposes to separate herself away from the law and just implement her personal political agenda."

In the six weeks since Kelly and Protasiewicz advanced out of the primary election, more than $27 million has been spent on ads.

A report from wispolitics.com pegged the total amount spent on the Supreme Court race at nearly $45 million.

That makes it the most expensive single Supreme Court race in US history, nearly tripling the $15.2 million spent in Illinois in 2004.

Both camps expect that enthusiasm and financial support to translate to votes.

Kelly said, "I think the people around the nation are watching to see what Wisconsin says about that kind of program. Now I'm confident that our fellow Wisconsinites are going to come out and they're going to reject that."

Roecker said, "People are really tuned into this race. And I think that speaks about what's at stake. But also, just how involved people in Wisconsin are to making sure they have a voice in this election."

Even though Protasiewicz was ill in the days leading up to Election Day, her team said she'll be ready to get back on the campaign trail Tuesday.

Both she and Kelly will be voting in person.