Wisconsin Supreme Court ends probe into Governor Scott Walker's 2012 recall campaign

MADISON -- The Wisconsin Supreme Court on Thursday, July 16th ruled to end a John Doe investigation into Governor Scott Walker's 2012 recall campaign. It is being called a landmark decision -- one that will change the way political campaigns are run in Wisconsin. It's also being called a victory for Governor Walker -- clearing his path for his presidential bid.

The Wisconsin Supreme Court put out a decision that says Walker's campaign did nothing wrong when it coordinated with conservative political groups during his 2012 recall campaign.

A group of Wisconsin prosecutors was looking into whether Walker broke state law in his 2012 recall battle by urging major donors to support his campaign by giving to outside groups without crucial donation limits he faced.

But Wisconsin's Supreme Court ruled 4-2 Thursday that the investigation was "overly broad" and infringed on First Amendment rights of free speech. The court's justices, who are elected every 10 years in statewide elections, split over the effect of a pair of recent federal rulings which opened the floodgates for money in federal campaigns.

"We said all along that the courts would ultimately rule on the side of the original circuit court judge," Walker said Thursday, during a campaign stop in New Hampshire. "As folks in Wisconsin will tell you, I've gone through these battles so many times I don't get up or too down, I'm pretty even keeled on all this."

Conservative say this decision upholds free speech and a lower court ruling.

Critics say it rewrites campaign law in Wisconsin, and that the public won't know who is financially backing which candidates, and for how much.

The allegations that prompted the John Doe investigation with the help of the Milwaukee County District Attorney's Office focused on conservative political groups coordinating their efforts with the recall campaign, putting ads on the air supporting Walker's agenda without mentioning the candidate, and not having to report what they spent.

"We don't know who is financially supporting the admonitions of our candidates and ultimately our public officials," Jeremy Levinson said.

Levinson is a political attorney representing, at times, the Wisconsin Democratic Party. He says the lengthy decision rewrites Wisconsin campaign finance law.

"Wisconsin at one time led the way -- so we know who is doing and giving financial benefit to campaigns of officials who ultimately become elected officials because with transparency, that can serve as a check for any kind of corruptive influence," Levinson said.

Conservatives say the decision allows groups to freely express their views on issues. In the decision -- harsh language for the aggressive John Doe investigation.

"The court made a bold statement in favor of freedom of expression. The sort of inclusion of everybody on one side and only one side of the political aisle made this an extraordinary and troubling part of Wisconsin history," Rick Esenberg, the founder and current president and general counsel of the Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty said.

Graves Garrett LLC issued this statement on the ruling in favor of the firm's clients, Wisconsin Club For Growth and Eric O'Keefe:

The Wisconsin Government Accountability Board issued this statement:

Assembly Speaker Robin Vos has issued this statement:

Senator Leah Vukmir (R-Wauwatosa) issued this statement:

Rep. Joe Sanfelippo (R-West Allis) issued this statement:

Senator Tom Tiffany (R-Hazelhurst) and Rep. Dave Craig (R-Town of Vernon) issued this statement:

Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce (WMC) President/CEO Kurt Bauer issued this statement:

Wisconsin Attorney General Brad Schimel issued this statement:

Senator Van Wanggaard (R-Racine) issued this statement:

Jay Heck with Common Cause Wisconsin issued this statement:

CLICK HERE to read the Supreme Court of Wisconsin's opinion in this case

CLICK HERE for further coverage of the two "John Doe" investigations involving Governor Scott Walker