10:07 PM: Gableman says he's 'very encouraged'
Gableman says he's "very encouraged" and "very optimistic" by early returns that show him with a slight lead.
Gableman did a series of interviews for 10 p.m. newscasts.
"We are very gratified that our message has resonated with what we believe will be the majority of voters," Gableman said.
Asked by a reporter what he thought about the negative turn the campaign had taken, Gableman said he was "proud" he had run a positive campaign focused on his qualifications and conservative judicial philosophy.
He is to address supporters shortly.
UPDATE: Following his interviews with the television stations, Gableman worked the room, chatting with supporters and thanking them for their support.
In a short interview with WisPolitics, Gableman reiterated his optimism.
As a justice, Gableman said he'd "uphold the rights of all the citizens under the constitution," including victims and criminal defendants.
"I'm very proud that our campaign has kept all of our advertisements positive, focused on why I believe that I am the best candidate to be the next elected Supreme Court justice," Gableman said.
Although his ad that focused on the case involving Butler and Reuben Lee Mitchell was widely panned as negative, Gableman insisted it only showed the contrasts between him and Butler.
"The fact is, my opponent, in our second most recent debate, told not only me, but told all the voters of the state that he was proud of every individual the he represented as a criminal defense lawyer," Gableman said.
"If he's proud of those clients, then I don't know what the source of the objection is to have photographs on an ad illustrating the stark contrasts in my professional background as a former prosecutor and his professional background as a criminal defense attorney."
-- By David Wise
Labels: 2008 spring election