Top Donors Back Conservative Wisconsin Supreme Court Candidate Maria Lazar

Lazar trails opponent in fundraising as state's high court race draws less attention than previous election

Apr. 1, 2026 at 7:53pm

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Wisconsin Appeals Court Judge Maria Lazar, the political Right's candidate for state Supreme Court, has reported raising about $900,000 for her campaign, lagging far behind her opponent who has raised over $5.6 million. Lazar's top donors include the Republican Party of Wisconsin, several wealthy business owners, and a retired surgeon.

Why it matters

Races for the Wisconsin Supreme Court are technically nonpartisan, but both major political parties back their preferred candidates. If Democrats flip the open seat, the political left will improve its majority on the court to 5-2. Republicans holding the seat will maintain the ideological balance of 4-3 in favor of the left-leaning justices.

The details

Court of Appeals Judge Maria Lazar lagged in fundraising since she announced her candidacy for the state's high court, and is being outraised by her opponent by more than 6-1. Lazar got into the race late, in October, after Supreme Court Justice Rebecca Bradley, whose seat is up for reelection, announced she was withdrawing. Lazar's opponent, state Appeals Court Judge Chris Taylor of Madison, has reported raising more than $5.6 million since she announced her candidacy in May of 2025.

  • Lazar announced her candidacy in October 2025.
  • Taylor announced her candidacy in May 2025.

The players

Maria Lazar

Wisconsin Appeals Court Judge and the political Right's candidate for state Supreme Court.

Chris Taylor

State Appeals Court Judge and Lazar's opponent in the race for Wisconsin Supreme Court.

Rebecca Bradley

Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice whose seat is up for reelection and who announced she was withdrawing from the race.

Republican Party of Wisconsin

The state's Republican party, which can give unlimited amounts to political candidates.

Diane Hendricks

Billionaire owner and chairperson of ABC Supply, who donated $20,000 to Lazar's campaign.

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What’s next

The general election is Tuesday, April 7. Eligible voters can register to vote on the day of the election by proving their residence and showing a government-issued ID to vote.

The takeaway

This race highlights the continued influence of money in state Supreme Court elections, with the Republican-controlled state Legislature allowing unlimited donations from political parties to candidates. The outcome could shift the ideological balance of the Wisconsin Supreme Court.