Three years ago, Wisconsin liberals gained a majority on the state Supreme Court for the first time in 15 years. This was significant in a state often seen as a political battleground. Now, with an election coming up on April 7, they aim to maintain that lead.
The upcoming race has not received as much national attention as last year’s. In that election, Susan Crawford successfully defended the liberal majority amid record spending, including millions from Elon Musk. This time, Chris Taylor, a Democrat, is competing against Maria Lazar, a Republican, to fill the seat of retiring conservative Justice Rebecca Bradley.
A win for Taylor could solidify the liberals’ influence in Wisconsin courts for years. Taylor holds a significant fundraising advantage. Since January 1, her campaign has outspent Lazar by a large margin, dedicating $2.3 million to ads. In contrast, Lazar’s campaign has spent just $157,000. Adding to this, groups supporting Taylor have contributed another $1.3 million to her ad efforts.
The issues at play this time mirror those in past elections. Taylor focuses on abortion and voting rights, while Lazar counters by emphasizing her anti-abortion stance and contrasting her judicial experience with Taylor’s political background.
Historically, many Wisconsin Supreme Court races went unnoticed. Brandon Scholz, a former Republican strategist, notes that Democrats have changed the game, raising more money and framing court elections as critical decisions, similar to gubernatorial ones. This shift has helped drive voter engagement, especially among Democrats.
Interestingly, Democrats have won 18 of the last 23 statewide elections in Wisconsin since 2017, despite Donald Trump’s slight victory in the state during the 2024 election. Recent data shows that issues like abortion rights have become critical in motivating voters, and Taylor’s ads have targeted economic concerns as well.
The dynamics of this race also reflect not only the current political landscape but also recent history. Recent polls indicate that about 62% of likely voters remain undecided. However, among those who have chosen, Taylor leads Lazar 22% to 15%.
In interviews, both candidates acknowledge the significance of this election. Taylor emphasizes the need for a strong court to protect Wisconsin’s rights against federal overreach. On her side, Lazar admits the fundraising disadvantage is a challenge but believes she can effectively question Taylor’s experience.
As election day approaches, the influence of this Supreme Court race may ripple into the upcoming governor’s election in the fall, where several Democrats are vying to succeed Tony Evers, who is stepping down.
This evolving narrative in Wisconsin politics showcases a deeper trend: many Republican candidates have struggled in statewide races, raising questions about their future strategy. With internal party disagreements surfacing, particularly about campaign coordination, there’s a growing sense that a change is necessary for conservatives to regain their footing in state-level contests.
In conclusion, the spotlight on Wisconsin shows that the outcomes of localized elections resonate well beyond state lines, indicating broader national trends that could shape future political climates.
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