The Wisconsin Republican Party criticized Democratic state leaders for not addressing “horrifying allegations” surrounding Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge Brett Blomme, who was recently charged with seven counts of child pornography.
“Despite the horrifying allegations against Blomme, his various Democrat buddies have been silent. It would appear that the Democrats’ constant virtue signaling ends when one of their own is revealed to be a child predator,” Anna Kelly, communications director for the Republican Party of Wisconsin, said in a statement emailed to the Washington Examiner.
The Wisconsin Democratic Party also sent a statement to the Washington Examiner regarding Blomme, saying, “no individual is above the law.”
“In Wisconsin and around the country, Democrats abide by the foundational tenet of democracy: that no individual is above the law. There is no position that demands a greater devotion to the public trust than that of a judge,” Democratic Party of Wisconsin Chairman Ben Wikler said. The allegations against Judge Blomme are deeply disturbing and deserve a swift and full investigation, and he should be held accountable for any crimes he has committed.”
The 38-year-old Wisconsin judge was arrested last week on seven charges of possession of child pornography, each of which carries a maximum fine of $100,000 or sentence of up to 25 years in prison. He allegedly uploaded several images of child pornography through a messaging app in October and November 2020, including videos of male children being raped, according to the criminal complaint.
COURT JUDGE LINKED TO ‘DRAG QUEEN STORY HOUR’ CHARGED WITH CHILD PORNOGRAPHY POSSESSION
Blomme, who is the former president of Cream City Foundation, which hosts a children’s event in which drag queens read to children called “Drag Queen Story Hour,” was serving Children’s Court at the time of his arrest.
Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett was one Democrat who did speak out about the allegations against Blomme, calling them “alarming.”
“The reports of the arrest came as a complete surprise,” Barrett said.
The Wisconsin Muslim Civic Alliance, a liberal political group, also released a statement on Saturday saying it was “deeply saddened” by the allegations against Blomme. “Our faith now rests in the criminal justice system to ensure accountability and that justice is served,” the statement added.
The Democratic Party of Wisconsin donated $10,583 to Blomme’s campaign for Milwaukee County judge last March, according to campaign finance records.
Blomme, who called himself a “progressive alternative” to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel before unseating incumbent Paul Dedinsky, has earned praise from local Democratic officials in the past.
“I support Brett because, like me, he is committed to making Milwaukee a better place for all of us,” Democratic Rep. Gwen Moore said of Blomme when endorsing him last winter, according to WISN, a talk radio station in Milwaukee.
Blomme reportedly called Moore’s support a “key endorsement” that helped him to win Dedinsky’s seat.
Photos obtained from Blomme’s Facebook page by the outlet allegedly show him in settings with major political figures in the state, such as Moore and Wisconsin Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes.
The Washington Examiner has made numerous attempts to contact Barrett, as well as the offices of Moore, Barnes, and Gov. Tony Evers, but did not receive a response.
The editorial board for one local news outlet, the Shepherd Express, endorsed Blomme to be a circuit judge last March. Editor Louis Fortis told WISN the allegations against Blomme were “unfortunate.”
Following reports of Blomme’s arrest, “Drag Queen Story Hour” Milwaukee Executive Director Jonathan Hamilt distanced his organization from the Cream City Foundation and Blomme, saying the organization had only ever been a fiscal sponsor.
“As the leaders of DQSH Milwaukee & DQSH National, we absolutely condemn pedophilia. We are angry and outraged by Brett’s actions. Pedophilia has no place in the LGBT community and no place in society as a whole,” Hamilt said.
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The judge was suspended from his duties by the Wisconsin Supreme Court last week, and an interim judge will temporarily take over Blomme’s seat as early as Wednesday while investigations are underway.
A court commissioner set a $500 signature bail for Blomme, and he was released from jail on Wednesday. Blomme, who has not yet publicly addressed the charges, is slated to appear in court on April 19.
The Washington Examiner was not immediately able to locate a direct contact for Blomme.
