Justice Ann Walsh Bradley, the longest-serving current Wisconsin Supreme Court justice and a member of its liberal majority, announced that she will not seek another term, surprising many as she had previously indicated her intention to seek reelection. The decision sets up a high-stakes battle for control of the battleground state’s highest court, as at least two current liberal judges are considering entering the race alongside the only announced candidate, former Republican Attorney General Brad Schimel. The primary is scheduled for Feb. 18, with the general election to follow on April 1. Bradley, who was first elected to the court in 1995, will leave as the fifth longest-serving justice in Wisconsin history, having been the first woman to join the court via election.
In response to Bradley’s decision, Schimel framed the race as being against the court’s “leftist majority” rather than just an individual candidate. Dane County Circuit Judge Susan Crawford, who recently won reelection to a second term, and state Appeals Court Judge Chris Taylor are both considering entering the race. Crawford previously served as chief legal counsel to former Democratic Governor Jim Doyle and has fought against Republican laws limiting access to abortion, collective bargaining for public workers, and voter ID requirements. Taylor, a former Democratic state representative and advocate for abortion rights, gun control, and programs for victims of sexual and domestic violence, served as a Dane County circuit judge before being elected to the state Court of Appeals in 2023.
Liberals currently hold a majority on the Wisconsin Supreme Court following Janet Protasiewicz’s victory in 2023 over former Justice Dan Kelly, which marked a shift from 15 years of conservative control of the court. Since gaining control, the court has made significant rulings, including overturning Republican-drawn legislative district maps in December. The issue of abortion has been central in recent court discussions, with challenges to a 175-year-old state law that conservatives have interpreted as a ban on abortion. The upcoming election will be crucial in determining the future direction of the court and its decisions on key legal issues.
Bradley, in announcing her decision not to seek reelection, cited the need to bring fresh perspectives to the court and pass the torch to a new generation. Bradley’s departure opens up the race on the liberal side as candidates vie to maintain the majority they secured last year. With the primary and general elections less than a year away, the contest for control of the Wisconsin Supreme Court is expected to be closely watched and fiercely contested. The outcome of the election will have far-reaching implications for the state’s legal landscape and the interpretation of key issues such as abortion, collective bargaining, and voter rights.
Former Republican Attorney General Brad Schimel, who is currently a Waukesha County judge, is the only announced candidate in the upcoming Wisconsin Supreme Court election following Justice Ann Walsh Bradley’s decision not to seek another term. At least two current liberal judges, Dane County Circuit Judge Susan Crawford and state Appeals Court Judge Chris Taylor, are considering entering the race. The primary is scheduled for Feb. 18, with the general election to follow on April 1. Bradley’s departure as the longest-serving current justice and a member of the liberal majority shakes up the race and sets the stage for a high-stakes battle for control of the state’s highest court.
The Wisconsin Supreme Court, currently led by a liberal majority following Janet Protasiewicz’s victory in 2023, has issued several key rulings since shifting control, including overturning Republican-drawn legislative district maps. Abortion has also been a central topic, with challenges to a longstanding state law that conservatives interpret as banning abortion. The upcoming election will be crucial in determining the future direction of the court and its decisions on key legal issues. With a new justice to be elected to replace Bradley, the balance of power on the court hangs in the balance, making this election one of significant importance in shaping the legal landscape of Wisconsin for years to come.
