Wisconsin voters elected Democratic-backed judge Chris Taylor to the state Supreme Court on Tuesday, further strengthening liberal control of the court. The election was officially nonpartisan but had clear partisan divisions.
Key Takeaways
Wisconsin voters elected liberal judge Chris Taylor to the state Supreme Court, strengthening Democratic control. This election solidified a 5-2 liberal majority on the court until at least 2030.
- Wisconsin's Supreme Court election resulted in a victory for Democratic-backed judge Chris Taylor over Republican-supported Maria Lazar.
- The win increases the liberal majority from 4-3 to 5-2, potentially locking in control until at least 2030.
- Abortion rights were a central issue in the campaign, with Taylor emphasizing her support and Lazar facing criticism for calling Roe v. Wade's overturning 'very wise.'
- The liberal-controlled court recently struck down a state law banning abortion and ordered new legislative maps.
- Spending and national attention were significantly lower than in previous high-stakes Wisconsin Supreme Court races.
The victory for Taylor increases the liberal majority from 4-3 to 5-2, potentially locking in that control until at least 2030. This outcome comes as Democrats aim to maintain the governor's office and flip the Republican-controlled state Legislature in November.
Abortion rights have been a central issue in the campaign. Taylor emphasized her support for abortion access, while Lazar faced criticism for calling the U.S. Supreme Court's overturning of Roe v. Wade 'very wise.' The liberal-controlled court recently struck down a state law banning abortion and ordered new legislative maps.
Spending and national attention were significantly lower than in previous high-stakes Wisconsin Supreme Court races, as control of the court wasn't at stake this year. However, advocates emphasized the importance of the election for voting rights and potential challenges to election results in future presidential elections.
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