Wisconsin State Supreme Court Election: Ideological Balance at Stake
A state supreme court election was held in Wisconsin on Tuesday, featuring liberal judge Chris Taylor and conservative judge Maria Lazar, both serving on the state's court of appeals. The outcome of the election is poised to influence the ideological balance of the court, which currently holds a 4-3 liberal majority. A victory for Taylor could expand this majority to 5-2, potentially affecting future rulings on significant state issues, including election challenges in Wisconsin, a state where elections are often closely contested.
The Candidates and Their Backgrounds
Chris Taylor, a liberal candidate, has served as a judge since 2020 and previously spent 10 years as a Democrat in the state Assembly, representing Madison. She has also worked as a Planned Parenthood attorney.
Maria Lazar, a conservative candidate, has been a judge since 2015. She previously worked for four years in the state Department of Justice under a Republican attorney general, where she defended various state laws.
Court Composition and Implications
The election could solidify a liberal majority on the court, which was established in 2023, ending 15 years under a conservative majority. This potential shift to a 5-2 liberal majority could extend until at least 2030, with another conservative justice scheduled to retire in 2027. The court's decisions are expected to be prominent in the context of future elections, including the 2028 presidential election.
Historically, in 2020, during a conservative majority, the court reportedly considered legal challenges to the 2020 presidential election results. Since liberals gained control in 2023, the court has reversed several election-related rulings, including overturning a ban on absentee ballot drop boxes. The liberal-controlled court has also struck down a state law banning abortion and ordered new legislative maps.
Key Issues and Candidate Positions
The campaign highlighted issues such as abortion rights, voter ID laws, congressional redistricting, and union rights.
Abortion Rights
During their sole debate, Lazar stated she would honor Wisconsin's ban on abortions after 20 weeks, referring to it as a "compromise" and suggesting that legislative action should address changes. She also affirmed that she has never advocated for harming women and prioritizes the health and life of the mother. Taylor disagreed with Lazar's position, stating it would have negative consequences for women. Taylor's campaign emphasized abortion rights, with one TV advertisement stating, "abortion is on the ballot." Lazar previously referred to the U.S. Supreme Court's 2022 decision to overturn Roe v. Wade as "very wise."
Election Integrity and Voting Access
Taylor expressed concerns about potential voter suppression and emphasized the need for the Supreme Court to ensure accountability. Lazar affirmed her support for Wisconsin's voter ID law, which was approved by voters last year. She also stated she does not agree with all federal efforts on election matters, noting that early and mail-in voting are "responsible" and "necessary." Lazar also affirmed that "Joe Biden did win" the 2020 presidential election. Lazar had previously defended legislative maps that were challenged and subsequently overturned.
Campaign Dynamics and Finance
While officially nonpartisan, both candidates received support aligning with partisan lines. Democrats and national figures, including Rahm Emanuel, Pete Buttigieg, Mark Kelly, Chris Murphy, Eric Holder, and former President Barack Obama, campaigned in support of Taylor. Lazar received support from anti-abortion groups.
The election was characterized by lower spending and public attention compared to the record-setting 2023 state supreme court contest. However, Taylor maintained a substantial financial advantage, raising over $5.6 million compared to Lazar's nearly $900,000. Total spending in the race exceeded $6 million, predominantly from Taylor and her allies. Taylor's campaign spent approximately nine times more than Lazar on television advertisements.
A Marquette Law School poll conducted in mid-March indicated that over half of registered voters (53%) were undecided, with 23% supporting Taylor and 17% favoring Lazar. Polls prior to the election indicated a preference for Taylor, who emphasized the importance of voter turnout.
Broader Political Context
This election was seen as an indicator of voter engagement across partisan lines, particularly when a former president is not on the ballot. Republican strategists noted the financial disparity as a challenge for conservatives and suggested the need to re-engage suburban voters in southeastern Wisconsin. Retiring conservative Justice Rebecca Bradley previously commented on increased partisanship on the court and recommended that conservatives evaluate their strategies.