GREEN LAKE, Wis. — It was only an hour after polls closed that former Justice Dan Kelly and his team heard the results of the highly contested Wisconsin Supreme Court race — his opponent, Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Janet Protasiewicz, had won.

Kelly conceded on Tuesday night and spoke on stage to his family, friends and supporters, thanking them for the work they had done that got him to this point in the race.

Kelly and his team spent $17.6 million throughout the campaign. A large amount of money that, when combined with Protasiewicz’s spending, made history. It topped money spent in prior years by nearly triple.

Following thanks to his supporters, Kelly continued by sharing his thoughts on how “evil” this race was and how horrible it was to be a part of the constant attacks throughout the campaign. 

He said he doesn’t believe Protasiewicz is a worthy opponent to have this seat.

“I wish that in a circumstance like this, I would be able to concede to a worthy opponent,” Kelly said. “But I do not have a worthy opponent to which I can concede. This was the most deceitful, dishonorable, despicable campaign I have ever seen run for the courts. It was truly beneath contempt.”

Words like those are not typically heard by someone who is conceding in a race. However, Kelly shared he has concerns for Wisconsin’s future moving forward based on the outcome of this race.

“My concern is the damage done to the institution of the court,” Kelly said. “My opponent is a serial liar. She has disregarded judicial ethics. She has deemed the judiciary with her behavior, and this is the future we have to look forward to in Wisconsin.”

Even through his frustration and defeat, Kelly said he respects the decision Wisconsinites have made in this race but is deeply concerned for them moving forward.