Full story
Liberal Victory
Chris Taylor secured a decisive victory, defeating conservative Maria Lazar and expanding the liberal majority to 5-2.
“Chris Taylor’s win expands liberals’ majority on Wisconsin’s high court and locks it in through the next presidential race”
The result locks in liberal control through at least 2030.
Taylor ran as a former Democratic state legislator and put abortion rights at the center of her campaign.
This marks the fourth straight liberal win since 2020.
Court's Influence on Democracy
Since flipping the court majority in 2023, liberal justices have forced new and fairer state legislative maps.
They rejected GOP efforts to limit mail voting by restoring dropboxes.
The court may soon weigh in on congressional redistricting where the map remains heavily gerrymandered.
The liberal majority could influence lawsuits during the midterms and the 2028 election.
Fundraising and Campaign Focus
Taylor significantly outraised Lazar, bringing in more than $5.6 million to Lazar's $900,000.
“Taylor spent nine years as a Democratic legislator and was an attorney for Planned Parenthood”
Most of the $6 million spent on advertising came from Taylor and her allies.
Lazar defended Gov. Scott Walker's Act 10 and Republican redistricting efforts.
The 2026 race attracted far less attention than the prior two elections.
Political Implications
Wisconsin is a premier swing state with some of the nation's closest elections.
The liberal expansion boosts Democrats as they seek to curtail GOP power.
Democrats aspire to undo a host of Republican-enacted laws from the 2010s.
The liberal court could face cases on abortion, redistricting, and election disputes.