Supreme Court race draws record spending in Wisconsin

The Wisconsin Supreme Court race between Appeals Court Judges Maria S. Lazar and Chris Taylor has shattered spending records, with the Brennan Center for Justice tracking over $2.7 million in TV ads alone as of late March.[5] Taylor and her allies have dominated, pouring in more than $2.4 million compared to Lazar's $201,000, while total campaign spending by Taylor's side has hit $5.6 million—outpacing Lazar 15-to-1, according to the Wisconsin Law Journal.[3][5] Voters head to the polls April 7 in this nonpartisan election to fill the seat vacated by incumbent Rebecca Bradley.[1][10]

The candidates hail from opposite ideological corners despite the nonpartisan label. Lazar, backed by former Gov. Scott Walker and all six Republican U.S. House members from Wisconsin, stresses blocking a liberal court majority and has ties to the Federalist Society.[1][6] Taylor, a former Democratic state lawmaker endorsed by the Democratic Party of Wisconsin and U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin, pushes a "pro-democracy" stance against gerrymandering and election challenges.[1][6] A Marquette Law School Poll shows Taylor leading slightly among likely voters at 23% to Lazar's 17%, but 53% of registered voters remain undecided.[2]

For Milwaukee residents, the stakes are sky-high: the court currently holds a 4-3 liberal edge, which Lazar's win would preserve while Taylor's victory would expand to 5-2, shaping rulings on voting rights, redistricting, abortion access, and criminal justice that ripple nationwide—including the 2028 presidential election.[1][5][10] Heavy ad blitzes are flooding local airwaves, influencing how Milwaukeeans vote early—already underway since March 24.[1][6]

With a key debate rescheduled for April 2 on WISN 12 in Milwaukee, the race could tighten as undecideds tune in.[4][6] The winner serves a 10-year term, cementing the court's direction.[10]