Taylor handily wins state Supreme Court race

In an overwhelming victory that cements an already progressive state Supreme Court, liberal appeals court judge Chris Taylor bowled over conservative challenger Maria Lazar Tuesday.

Taylor won statewide with approximately 60 percent of the vote to Lazar’s 40 percent, winning in traditionally conservative areas as well as bluer, more liberal ones. Local results underscored her domination at the ballot box, with Taylor winning both traditionally Republican Oneida and Vilas counties. 

In Vilas County, Taylor squeaked by Lazar narrowly, 3,311 to 3,277 votes. In Oneida County, however, Taylor won by a more commanding margin, winning 5,684 votes to Lazar’s 4,776. 

The race filled an open seat on the court following the decision by justice Rebecca Grassl Bradley not to seek re-election. Taylor, a former Democratic state lawmaker and policy adviser for Planned Parenthood, will be sworn in on August 1.

Taylor’s victory locks in a firm ideological majority for the court, which in recent years has played a central role in shaping Wisconsin law on issues ranging from redistricting and election administration to abortion and administrative rulemaking.

Conservatives have accused the progressive majority of legislating from the bench. Progressives say the liberal court has corrected the excesses of a Republican legislature created and sustained by years of gerrymandering.

In her victory speech, as reported by WisPolitics, Taylor framed the result as a rejection of outside influence and a reaffirmation of the judiciary’s role in serving the public.

“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,” Taylor told supporters in Madison.

Lazar, a state appeals court judge who ran on a platform emphasizing judicial restraint and adherence to the rule of law, urged supporters to look to the future.

“Your votes were not cast in vain, and you did set a mark and draw a line and say, ‘Wisconsin deserves better,’” Lazar said, as reported by WisPolitics. “I’m hopeful in future years that will happen.” 

Her campaign had stressed concerns about judicial activism and the proper limits of the court’s role, drawing a contrast with Taylor’s background in legislative and policy advocacy.

National and state reactions

Democrats immediately cast the results as reflective of a national shift in political sentiment. Ken Martin, chairman of the Democratic National Committee, said the outcome was a repudiation of conservative policies and a sign of momentum heading into upcoming elections.

“Tonight, Wisconsin voters made it clear: they don’t want a judiciary that will simply rubber-stamp Donald Trump’s toxic agenda,” Martin said. “Judge Taylor’s victory means Wisconsinites gain another champion on the court who will stand up to corporate greed, defend reproductive rights and our fundamental freedoms, and protect our democracy. While Republicans are more scared than ever about losing big this November, Democrats remain on offense.” 

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Kelda Roys said Taylor had built her career fighting for Wisconsinites’ freedom to build a better life. 

“Chris’ landslide win shows that Wisconsin is eager to elect experienced, tough, smart women who tell it like it is, to statewide office,” Roys said. “Having known Chris for nearly 25 years, as a friend and colleague in the reproductive rights movement and the legislature, as a fellow attorney and mom, I know Wisconsinites made the right choice and will be well served by having her on our Supreme Court.”

Meanwhile, Republican leaders — who mostly remained quiet  — struck a different tone, emphasizing the need to regroup and continue advancing conservative legal principles. Wisconsin Republican Party chairman Brian Schimming praised Lazar’s campaign and urged unity.

“I want to thank judge Maria Lazar, who stepped forward to represent Wisconsin values on the ballot this spring,” Schimming said. “Maria ran an honorable campaign focused on impartial justice, following the rule of law, and rejecting judicial activism. We must stay united and continue fighting for our conservative values.” 

Advocacy organizations also weighed in. The ACLU of Wisconsin said the result served as evidence of voter priorities on civil rights issues, particularly abortion access and voting rights.

“Wisconsinites once again went to the polls and delivered a clear message about their resounding support for protecting abortion access and defending voting rights in our state,” said executive director Melinda Brennan.

Political observers also tried to link the judicial race and the wider electoral environment. Statements from Democratic campaign groups tied the result to upcoming congressional and gubernatorial contests, saying the Supreme Court race may serve as an indicator of the electorate’s mood heading into November.

Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee spokesperson Katie Smith said Wisconsin voters sent another clear message that they are ready for leaders who put them first, pointing to GOP incumbents U.S. Representatives Derrick Van Orden and Bryan Steil as examples of lost trust.

“Van Orden and Steil promised to lower costs, but they have only made life more expensive — momentum is on Democrats’ side, and Van Orden and Steil will lose because Wisconsin families are tired of politicians that put Washington first,” she said.

Spinners were already spinning Wednesday morning, too, with Democrats saying Taylor’s ability to secure strong margins statewide — including in counties that have historically leaned Republican — signaled a continued shift in voter alignment.

However, Republicans countered that the anomalies in red counties were the result of a low turnout in a spring election, which would not be the case in November.

Richard Moore is the author of “Dark State” and may be reached at richardd3d.substack.com.