Democratic-backed candidate Chris Taylor won a seat on the Wisconsin Supreme Court on April 7, expanding the court’s liberal majority and solidifying its control for the years ahead.
Taylor, who serves on the Wisconsin Court of Appeals, defeated conservative-backed appellate judge Maria Lazar by more than 20 percentage points. The race was held to replace retiring conservative Justice Rebecca Bradley, who did not seek reelection.
With the win, liberals will hold a 5-2 majority on the court, a margin that is expected to remain in place until at least 2030.
Taylor framed her victory as a win for everyday voters, saying, “Once again, Wisconsin showed the entire nation that we believe that the people should be at the center of government and the priority of our judiciary, not the billionaires, not the most powerful and privileged, but the people.”
The result marks the fourth straight win for liberal candidates in Wisconsin Supreme Court elections. The shift began in 2023 when Justice Janet Protasiewicz defeated Daniel Kelly and flipped the court after 15 years of conservative control. Liberals maintained that advantage in 2025 when Susan Crawford defeated Brad Schimel, and Taylor’s win now expands it further.
Since gaining control, the court has already ruled on major issues. It sided with efforts to overturn a state abortion ban and ordered new legislative maps to replace districts drawn by Republicans.
The 2026 race drew far less attention than the previous two contests that determined control of the court. Spending and voter engagement were both lower than in 2023 and 2025, when record-breaking funding and turnout highlighted the stakes.
Taylor’s campaign focused heavily on abortion rights, one of the court’s most high-profile issues. Before joining the bench, she worked as an attorney and policy director for Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin. She later served on the Dane County Circuit Court before being elected to the Court of Appeals in 2023.
Lazar brought a background as a former assistant attorney general and spent two decades in private practice handling complex litigation and bankruptcy cases.
After the results, Brian Schimming urged Republicans to remain unified and continue fighting for their values, while Democratic leaders pointed to the outcome as part of a broader political shift. Heather Williams said the result reflects changing momentum in the state after years of efforts to reshape the court.
Another change could be on the horizon. Conservative Justice Annette Ziegler announced she will not seek reelection in 2027, setting up another open race that could further shape the court’s direction.