Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce, the state's largest business group, spent millions in the last two Supreme Court elections but has decided not to get involved in the upcoming Supreme Court race.
WMC Jim Haney told WisPolitics.com Wednesday there was no one factor in the decision to sit the election out, but said there was a collective consensus the group would play a more passive, informational role"" in this election.
Chief Justice Shirley Abrahamson will oppose Jefferson County Judge Randy Koschnick in the April 7 election to retain her seat on the Court, which she has held since 1976.
Jay Heck, executive director of Common Cause in Wisconsin, said criticism for their previous involvement in elections, a need to focus on economic issues and the fact that Abrahamson would be difficult to defeat probably played into WMC's decision.
""The big question is whether or not other outside groups will get involved in this race,"" Heck said.