The Liberal Majority Expands in Wisconsin Supreme Court Election
Chris Taylor has successfully claimed a seat on the Wisconsin Supreme Court, further solidifying the liberal majority in a pivotal battleground state, as reported by NBC News.
As a state appellate court judge and a former Democratic state representative, Taylor triumphed over conservative Court of Appeals Judge Maria Lazar, who previously served under former Republican Governor Scott Walker. Taylor’s victory secures her a 10-year term on the court.
With Taylor’s win, the liberal bloc now holds a 5-2 advantage on Wisconsin’s highest court, effectively blocking any conservative majority until at least 2030. This election marks a continuation of liberal success, with liberal candidates winning four of the last Supreme Court races and five of the last six overall. Since 2017, Democratic and Democratic-leaning candidates have clinched 19 of the last 24 statewide elections in Wisconsin.
Backed by the state Democratic Party, Taylor maintained a significant fundraising lead over Lazar throughout her campaign. Emphasizing issues such as abortion rights and voting access, she has leveraged messaging that resonates with voters, particularly in response to President Donald Trump’s policies. Her approach mirrors that of other recent liberal Supreme Court candidates who successfully mobilized Democratic turnout during non-presidential election cycles.
This year’s race was markedly quieter and less financially demanding compared to previous Wisconsin Supreme Court contests, which have garnered national attention for their escalating costs.
In 2023, a liberal majority on the court was established for the first time in 15 years. This was maintained in the subsequent year, despite a historic level of spending in the most expensive state supreme court election in U.S. history, which witnessed significant financial support for conservative candidates from notable figures such as tech billionaire Elon Musk. In contrast, this year’s campaigning was characterized by a lack of contested races and lower overall enthusiasm, resulting in expenditures of only $6.5 million—significantly less than previous elections.
The impact of a liberal majority has been evident, particularly in the court’s recent decision to redraw Wisconsin’s congressional map, a move that eliminates gerrymandering that had traditionally favored Republicans. This new map will be implemented in 2024, coinciding with Democrats’ push to reclaim at least one congressional seat this fall, a feat they have not achieved in 16 years.
As Democrats pursue a lawsuit aimed at reaching the state Supreme Court over the congressional map, they face challenges in a landscape where Republicans dominate six of Wisconsin’s eight House seats. Concurrently, there is speculation that the court may consider actions to repeal various conservative bills enacted during previous Republican administrations, particularly those curtailing collective bargaining rights for public employees.
Last year, the court also made headlines by overturning a near-total abortion ban that had been in place since 1849, reaffirming its commitment to progressive reforms following the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade.
Looking ahead, liberals stand a chance to further strengthen their majority on the Wisconsin Supreme Court as conservative Justice Annette Ziegler has opted not to seek a third term. The upcoming years will see all remaining justices facing re-election, with three judges set to compete for new 10-year terms between 2028 and 2030.
