Wisconsin justices to weigh recusal rules for campaign donors

The upcoming meeting comes as various parties have increasingly sought recusals from justices based on past comments or campaign activities.

Apr. 19, 2026 at 10:55am

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A heavily textured, fragmented painting of a gavel or other political symbol in shades of blue, green, and grey, conveying the complex and contentious nature of the debate over judicial recusal rules.As debates over judicial recusal rules intensify, the Wisconsin Supreme Court faces pressure to update policies that critics say are too lenient on campaign donors.Madison Today

The Wisconsin Supreme Court will hold a public hearing on June 3 to discuss updating court rules to require judges to recuse themselves from cases involving parties that supported their campaigns or in instances that raise 'a reasonable concern' about the judge's ability to rule impartially. The petition proposing the new rules was filed in January by four retired circuit court judges.

Why it matters

Judicial recusals have become a growing issue in Wisconsin, due in part to record-setting spending by candidates and outside groups in recent state Supreme Court elections as both parties have battled for ideological control of the court. The current recusal rules, adopted in 2010 by a 4-3 conservative majority, were written by pro-business groups and have been criticized as too lenient.

The details

The petition proposes new rules requiring a judge to recuse themselves from a proceeding 'when the facts and circumstances the judge partial.' It also provides a list of factors judges should consider when determining if recusal is warranted, including if parties contributed to or supported the judge's campaign.

  • The state Supreme Court will hold a public hearing on June 3 to discuss the petition.
  • The next state Supreme Court election will be held next April, for the seat currently held by conservative Justice Annette Ziegler, who announced last month she would not seek re-election.

The players

Wisconsin Supreme Court

The seven-member state Supreme Court that will consider updating recusal rules.

Richard Niess, Sarah O'Brien and John Mayer Dane County Circuit Court Judges, and retired Monroe County Circuit Judge J. David Rice

The four retired circuit court judges who filed the petition proposing new recusal rules.

Brian Hagedorn

A conservative justice who served as former Gov. Scott Walker's chief legal counsel and helped draft the current recusal rules.

Michael Gableman

A former justice who led the state's multiple requests for recusal against the court's liberal justices from an upcoming decision to suspend his law license for misconduct violations.

Lyndsey Brunette

A liberal Clark County Judge who launched her bid for the state Supreme Court seat on Thursday.

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What they’re saying

“Recusal on this court should be rare — done only when the law requires it.”

— Brian Hagedorn, Conservative Justice

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.