Wisconsin Voters to Decide Ideological Balance of State Supreme Court

A liberal victory could solidify the court's majority for years to come in this battleground state.

Apr. 7, 2026 at 8:40pm

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A serene, cinematic painting of the Wisconsin State Capitol building, its grand architecture and dome bathed in warm, golden light and deep shadows, conveying the weighty significance of the state's Supreme Court election.The Wisconsin State Capitol stands as a silent witness to the high-stakes battle for the state's Supreme Court, a contest that could reverberate through the political landscape for years to come.Madison Today

Wisconsinites will vote for a new state Supreme Court justice on Tuesday in a race that could maintain or widen the court's liberal majority for years. The seven-member body has resolved disputes between the GOP-controlled state legislature and the Democratic governor, and its rulings could impact future elections and redistricting.

Why it matters

Wisconsin is a key battleground state, with the governor's seat and control of the statehouse up for grabs. The state Supreme Court has played a pivotal role in resolving political disputes, including rejecting a Trump lawsuit that would have tossed out over 220,000 absentee ballots in 2020. The court's ideological balance could shape the state's political landscape for years to come.

The details

Judges Chris Taylor and Maria Lazar are competing for an open seat to replace retiring conservative-aligned Justice Rebecca Bradley. Taylor is a former Dane County Circuit Court judge and former Democratic lawmaker, while Lazar is a former Waukesha County Circuit Court judge and assistant attorney general under former Republican Gov. Scott Walker. Though the race is nominally nonpartisan, the candidates have received endorsements from political figures, with Taylor endorsed by former President Barack Obama and Lazar endorsed by Republican congressmen.

  • Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Central time on Tuesday, April 8, 2026.
  • The new term will take effect on August 1, 2026.

The players

Chris Taylor

A former Dane County Circuit Court judge and former Democratic lawmaker representing deep-blue Madison in the state assembly.

Maria Lazar

A former Waukesha County Circuit Court judge and assistant attorney general during former Republican Gov. Scott Walker's tenure.

Rebecca Bradley

The retiring conservative-aligned Wisconsin Supreme Court justice whose seat is up for election.

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What they’re saying

“a radical, extreme legislator”

— Maria Lazar, Candidate for Wisconsin Supreme Court

“right-wing political agenda”

— Chris Taylor, Candidate for Wisconsin Supreme Court

What’s next

The new justice will take office on August 1, 2026, and could potentially hear election or redistricting-related litigation in the future.

The takeaway

This election could have significant implications for the political landscape in Wisconsin, a key battleground state, as the state Supreme Court has played a pivotal role in resolving disputes between the Republican-controlled legislature and the Democratic governor. The ideological balance of the court could shape the state's politics for years to come.