Wisconsin is gearing up for a high-stakes Supreme Court election that will decide the ideological balance of the state’s highest court for years to come. With liberal Justice Ann Walsh Bradley retiring, the 4-3 liberal majority has crumbled to an even 3-3 split. The outcome of this race will determine whether conservatives reclaim control of the court—a critical battleground as Wisconsin remains at the epicenter of national politics.
The race pits Dane County Judge Susan Crawford, a left-wing champion, against former Republican Attorney General Brad Schimel. For conservatives, this isn’t just about flipping a court seat; it’s about restoring sanity to a judicial system increasingly hijacked by radical activism. Rusty Schultz, a veteran GOP strategist, put it plainly: “Conservatives are starting to wake up to the importance of the court.”
Schimel, a Waukesha County Circuit Court judge, isn’t mincing words. He entered the race after witnessing the 2023 election, where liberal Justice Janet Protasiewicz openly campaigned on her ideological beliefs, drawing ire for labeling state election maps “rigged” and championing abortion rights. “We had a candidate for office who won promising how she would rule on cases,” Schimel said. “That’s not how the judiciary is supposed to work.”
Crawford, meanwhile, is playing to her base, highlighting her work for Planned Parenthood and past challenges to conservative legislation like Act 10, former Governor Scott Walker’s groundbreaking reform of collective bargaining rights. Her campaign, not surprisingly, is painting Schimel as a “right-wing extremist.” The left’s favorite playbook remains unchanged—sling mud, cry “extremism,” and hope no one notices their own radical agenda.
At the heart of this race are issues that will define Wisconsin’s future: abortion laws, election integrity, redistricting, and religious freedom. If Schimel wins, the court could revisit challenges to Act 10 and uphold protections for religious organizations. If Crawford prevails, expect Democrats to push lawsuits targeting conservative gains, from abortion restrictions to redistricting.
This isn’t just a judicial race—it’s a referendum on Wisconsin’s future. Conservatives understand what’s at stake: a court that interprets the law as written versus one that legislates from the bench. Democrats can crow about their turnout machine, but Wisconsinites are tired of liberal activism cloaked in judicial robes. Brad Schimel represents the commonsense leadership Wisconsin deserves, and his victory will ensure the court reflects the will of the people—not the radical left.
