Liberals Expand Majority in Wisconsin Supreme Court

3 key takeaways from Tuesday's election night results

Apr. 8, 2026 at 2:52am

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A serene, photorealistic painting of an empty state courthouse interior with warm lighting and deep shadows, conveying a sense of quiet power and judicial authority.The Wisconsin Supreme Court's liberal majority has already made significant rulings, cementing its influence for years to come.Marquette Today

The Wisconsin Supreme Court expanded its liberal majority to 5-2 on Tuesday following Chris Taylor's victory over Maria Lazar in the race for an open seat on the high court. Taylor, the Democrat-backed liberal, topped Lazar by more than 20 percentage points in the statewide contest to replace retiring conservative Justice Rebecca Bradley.

Why it matters

The court's narrow liberal majority has already ruled in favor of overturning a state abortion ban and ordered new legislative maps to replace the Republican-drawn one. The 2026 election results cement the liberal control of the Wisconsin Supreme Court for the foreseeable future.

The details

Taylor's win marks the fourth consecutive victory for liberal candidates in the nonpartisan Wisconsin Supreme Court elections. Justice Janet Protasiewicz's 2023 win over Daniel Kelly flipped the makeup of the court to majority liberal - ending 15 years of conservative control - and Susan Crawford's 2025 victory over Brad Schimel ensured liberals would continue to enjoy a 4-3 majority until at least 2028.

  • On Tuesday, April 8, 2026, Chris Taylor defeated Maria Lazar in the Wisconsin Supreme Court election.
  • In 2023, Justice Janet Protasiewicz flipped the court to a liberal majority.
  • In 2025, Susan Crawford's victory ensured liberals would maintain a 4-3 majority until at least 2028.

The players

Chris Taylor

The Democrat-backed liberal who won the open seat on the Wisconsin Supreme Court, expanding the liberal majority to 5-2.

Maria Lazar

The Republican-backed conservative who lost the election for the open seat on the Wisconsin Supreme Court.

Justice Janet Protasiewicz

The liberal justice who won in 2023, flipping the court to a liberal majority.

Susan Crawford

The liberal justice who won in 2025, ensuring liberals would maintain a 4-3 majority until at least 2028.

Rebecca Bradley

The retiring conservative justice whose seat was won by Chris Taylor.

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What they’re saying

“Not a single bomb has dropped on America. We cannot kill an entire civilization. This is evil and madness.”

— Marjorie Taylor Greene, Former U.S. Representative

“Our country is safer because of what President Trump has done regarding Iran.”

— Clay Fuller, District Attorney and Air National Guard Veteran

“I think Congress right now is weak … Congress has allowed us to get into this war. Here in northwest Georgia, people are concerned because they got sons and daughters in the military, and the last thing they want is another forever war.”

— Shawn Harris, Veteran and Combat Infantry Commander

The takeaway

The 2026 Wisconsin Supreme Court election results cement the liberal control of the state's highest court, with a 5-2 majority that is likely to continue making consequential rulings on issues like abortion rights and redistricting for years to come.