"Ethics rules prohibit Judges from personally soliciting donations. As someone who has worked with Judge Sherman, I believe strongly that we need to keep him on the Court of Appeals. That is why I am eager to help his campaign committee build the financial strength it needs. I hope you’ll donate today," Shilling wrote.

Ross, asked about Shilling's letter, said sending a fundraising letter is different from appearing at a fundraising event. He said he had no objection to a fundraising letter Darling sent recently on Bradley's behalf.

He added that Shilling wasn't in a legislative leadership position at the time of her letter, and that she had previously served in the Legislature with Sherman. Those differences, and the fact that it was a small-dollar solicitation, make the letter "pale in comparison" to Bradley's scheduled fundraiser, he said.

But Bradley's campaign said the fundraiser creates no problems.

"There is no conflict of interest," said Bradley campaign spokeswoman Madison Wiberg. "Justice Bradley appreciates the support she has earned from all across the state to retain her seat on the Wisconsin Supreme Court. Justice Bradley has always stated that she follows the rule of law and swore an oath to uphold the Wisconsin and U.S. Constitutions as they are written, not by who endorses her campaign."

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