Wisconsin Supreme Court Candidate Lazar Campaigns in La Crosse

Judge Maria Lazar highlights differences with opponent ahead of election

Apr. 3, 2026 at 8:42pm

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A quiet, cinematic painting of a solitary podium or lectern in a dimly lit town square, with warm sunlight casting deep shadows across the scene, capturing the somber mood of the high-stakes Wisconsin Supreme Court election.As the Wisconsin Supreme Court election nears, the contrasting judicial philosophies of the candidates have taken center stage in the campaign.La Crosse Today

With the Wisconsin Supreme Court election just days away, Judge Maria Lazar visited La Crosse on Friday to meet with voters during a campaign stop. Lazar, who serves on the 2nd District Court of Appeals, contrasted her judicial approach with that of her opponent, Judge Chris Taylor of the 4th District Court of Appeals, highlighting their differences that emerged during the campaign's only debate.

Why it matters

The Wisconsin Supreme Court election is a high-stakes race that could shift the ideological balance of the state's highest court. Lazar and Taylor have starkly different judicial philosophies, with Lazar portraying herself as an impartial arbiter of the law versus Taylor, whom Lazar accuses of being a 'judicial activist.'

The details

During her campaign stop in La Crosse, Lazar referenced Thursday's debate, where she said Taylor refused to commit to recusing herself in cases where there could be a conflict of interest. Lazar described herself as someone who rules based on facts and the law, in contrast to Taylor whom she said would 'legislate from the bench' and prioritize her 'causes' over the law.

  • The Wisconsin Supreme Court election is just a few days away.
  • The only debate between Lazar and Taylor took place less than 24 hours before Lazar's La Crosse campaign stop.

The players

Judge Maria Lazar

A member of the 2nd District Court of Appeals based in Waukesha, Lazar is running for a seat on the Wisconsin Supreme Court.

Judge Chris Taylor

A member of the 4th District Court of Appeals in Madison, Taylor is Lazar's opponent in the Wisconsin Supreme Court election.

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What they’re saying

“'I think in this race you must ask yourself do you want to risk ten years on a judicial activist who has specifically told you last night that her causes are more important than the law or do you want someone who actually is going to honor their oath of office and just rule straight down the middle as to what the law and the facts are?'”

— Judge Maria Lazar, Wisconsin Supreme Court Candidate

What’s next

Voters in Wisconsin will head to the polls on April 6th to elect a new state Supreme Court justice.

The takeaway

The Wisconsin Supreme Court election has become a high-profile race, with the two candidates offering starkly different judicial philosophies. Lazar is positioning herself as an impartial arbiter of the law, while accusing her opponent Taylor of being a 'judicial activist' who would prioritize her personal causes over the law.