Liberals Expand Majority on Wisconsin Supreme Court in Low-Key Election

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In a low-profile but high-stakes election, liberals expanded their majority on the Wisconsin Supreme Court, with Appeals Court Judge Chris Taylor, a former Democratic state representative, defeating conservative Appeals Court Judge Maria Lazar. The victory gives liberals a 5-2 majority on the state's top court, strengthening their control in this crucial battleground ahead of the 2026 elections when Democrats aim to keep the governor's office and potentially flip the state legislature.

Why it matters

The Wisconsin Supreme Court has become increasingly partisan in recent election cycles, with major outside spending and high-profile campaigns. The court's rulings have had significant impacts on election laws and procedures in the state, making its partisan composition a key factor in the upcoming 2026 elections.

The details

While officially non-partisan, the Wisconsin Supreme Court election saw heavy partisan involvement, with Trump ally Elon Musk headlining a rally and personally handing out $1 million checks to voters just days before the election. The liberal candidate won by a larger-than-expected margin, capturing a 4-3 majority on the court in 2023 and now expanding that to 5-2 with this latest victory.

• The election took place on Tuesday, April 8, 2026.
• Liberals took control of the Wisconsin Supreme Court in 2023, ending a decade and a half of conservative control.

What’s next

The judicial ballot box showdown also came six months ahead of November's elections, when Democrats in Wisconsin aim to keep control of the governor's office and potentially flip the state legislature, which Republicans have controlled for 15 years.