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Liberals expand their majority on the Wisconsin Supreme Court

April 8, 2026

Liberal Judge Chris Taylor won a Wisconsin Supreme Court seat by a landslide margin of over 20 points, defeating conservative Judge Maria Lazar and expanding the liberal majority on the court to 5-2. Both candidates are currently appeals court judges, with Taylor having previously served as a Democratic state legislator and worked for Planned Parenthood Wisconsin, while Lazar worked as an assistant attorney general and circuit court judge. Abortion rights emerged as a central campaign issue, with Taylor advocating for reproductive rights and Lazar supporting the state's existing 20-week abortion ban.

Who is affected

  • Judge Chris Taylor (winner)
  • Judge Maria Lazar (defeated candidate)
  • Wisconsin residents, particularly those concerned about abortion access and reproductive rights
  • Conservative Justice Rebecca Bradley (whose retirement created the vacancy)
  • Liberal justices on the Wisconsin Supreme Court gaining expanded majority
  • Democratic voters and Republican voters in Wisconsin
  • Abortion rights advocates and opponents
  • Survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence
  • Alicia Halvensleben (Democrat who won mayoral election in Waukesha)

What action is being taken

  • No ongoing actions are explicitly described in the article. The election has been completed and the winner declared.

Why it matters

  • This election is significant because it expands the liberal majority on Wisconsin's Supreme Court to 5-2, solidifying progressive control over a key judicial body in a perennial battleground state. The court has direct authority over critical issues including abortion rights, voting laws, and other constitutional matters that affect Wisconsin residents. The overwhelming 20-point victory margin represents a dramatic shift in a closely divided state and suggests strong voter support for liberal judicial positions, particularly on reproductive rights. The result also demonstrates that despite significant outside spending by wealthy conservatives like Elon Musk in recent Wisconsin races, Democratic-aligned candidates have won three consecutive state Supreme Court elections.

What's next

  • No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: The 19th

Liberals expand their majority on the Wisconsin Supreme Court