In a significant political development, Democratic-backed candidate Chris Taylor triumphed in the Wisconsin Supreme Court election on Tuesday, solidifying and expanding the liberal majority on the state's highest judicial body. This victory comes at a critical juncture, with the court poised to adjudicate high-stakes cases involving congressional redistricting, union rights, and other contentious issues in Wisconsin, a perennial battleground state known for its intense political contests.
Fourth Consecutive Liberal Victory
Taylor's win over Republican-backed Maria Lazar marks the fourth consecutive election victory for liberal court candidates since 2020, ensuring that liberals will maintain a majority on the Wisconsin Supreme Court until at least 2030. This electoral success provides Democrats with a strengthened judicial foothold just months before the November elections, where they aim to retain the governor's office and potentially flip the state Legislature, which has been under Republican control since 2011.
Campaign Focus on Abortion Rights
Throughout her campaign, Taylor, a state Appeals Court judge and former employee of Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin, centered her messaging on abortion rights. In televised advertisements, she emphasized that "abortion is on the ballot" and criticized Lazar for praising the U.S. Supreme Court's 2022 decision to overturn Roe v. Wade as "very wise." Lazar, also a state Appeals Court judge supported by anti-abortion groups, attempted to portray Taylor as a partisan politician who would advance a liberal agenda on the bench.
The candidates clashed over partisanship during their sole debate last week, with Lazar labeling Taylor a "radical, extreme legislator" and a "judicial activist," while Taylor countered that Lazar would bring "an extreme, right-wing political agenda to the bench." However, Taylor held a substantial fundraising advantage, outspending Lazar by approximately nine times on television ads, according to data from the Brennan Center for Justice.
Implications for Key Issues
Since liberals gained control of the Wisconsin Supreme Court in 2023, ending a 15-year conservative majority, the court has already made impactful rulings. It has struck down a state abortion ban and ordered new legislative maps, actions that have fueled Democratic hopes for capturing a legislative majority in the upcoming November elections. The court is also expected to play a pivotal role in cases related to election laws, including a recent circuit court ruling that declared a law ending collective bargaining for public workers unconstitutional, a decision likely to be appealed to the state Supreme Court.
Historical Context and Future Outlook
This year's election contrasted sharply with previous Wisconsin Supreme Court races, where national spending records were set amid battles for majority control. With the court's majority not at stake this time, spending and national attention decreased significantly. However, liberals have argued that democracy itself was on the line, noting that in 2020, the conservative-controlled court came within one vote of siding with former President Donald Trump in his attempt to invalidate votes to overturn the presidential election results.
Looking ahead, another conservative justice is set to retire next year, offering liberals an opportunity to achieve a 6-1 majority on the court, thanks to Taylor's victory. This could further shape the judicial landscape in Wisconsin, influencing decisions around the 2028 presidential election and beyond. Taylor, who served as a Democrat in the state Assembly for a decade representing Madison, brings a background in legislative politics, while Lazar's experience includes working under a Republican attorney general and defending laws on voter ID and abortion restrictions.
As the court continues to reverse election-related rulings, such as overturning a ban on absentee ballot drop boxes, its role in safeguarding democratic processes remains a focal point. With races officially nonpartisan but largely divided along party lines, Taylor's election underscores the ongoing political shifts in Wisconsin, setting the stage for continued legal and electoral battles in this key swing state.
