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Wisconsin Supreme Court elections, 2026

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The term of one Wisconsin Supreme Court justice will expire on July 31, 2026. The seat is up for nonpartisan election on April 7, 2026. The primary is scheduled February 17, 2026. Although the elections are officially nonpartisan, candidates often take stances on specific issues and receive backing from the state's major political parties during their campaigns.[1]

On August 29, 2025, Rebecca Bradley announced she would not seek another term in 2026.[2][3] Bradley is a member of the court's conservative minority. Governor Scott Walker (R) appointed to the court after the death of Justice N. Patrick Crooks in September 2015. Bradley was elected to a full term in 2016, when she defeated JoAnne Kloppenburg.

According to the Associated Press' Scott Bauer, "The open race comes as several high-profile issues could make their way to the Wisconsin Supreme Court in the coming months, including abortion, collective bargaining rights, congressional redistricting and election rules."[4]

Liberals are expected to have a majority on the court until at least 2028.[4] If a liberal candidate wins in 2026, the liberal majority would increase from 4-3 to 5-2. If a conservative candidate wins, the court would maintain its 4-3 liberal majority.

Liberals first won a 4-3 majority in the April 2023 election, when Judge Janet Protasiewicz won an open seat, defeating Daniel Kelly 55.4% to 44.4% and shifting ideological control of the court for the first time in 15 years. In April 2025, liberals retained their 4-3 majority, when Susan Crawford defeated Brad Schimel 55.0% to 44.9%. Both the 2023 and the 2025 races broke records as the most expensive judicial races in U.S. history. According to WisPolitics, the candidates and satellite groups spent more than $100 million in the 2025 election and more than $56 million in the 2023 election.[5][6]

The last time conservatives won an election for Wisconsin Supreme Court was in 2019, when Brian Hagedorn defeated Lisa Neubauer 50.2%-49.7%.

The 2025 election also had the record voter turnout for a nonpartisan election at 50%. The previous record was in 2023, when turnout was 39.7%. Turnout in Wisconsin’s November 2024 general election was 73% and turnout in November 2022 was 57.2%.[7]

Wisconsin is also holding elections for three intermediate appellate court judges in April 2026. In November 2026, the state will hold elections for U.S. House and governor, as well as various other state executive and state legislative offices.

On this page, you will find:

Judges with expiring terms

This is a list of the justices who must stand for nonpartisan election in 2026 in order to remain on the bench. Justices may choose not to stand for election. The list is subject to change if justices retire or are appointed.

Rebecca Bradley


Candidates and results

Note: The following list includes official candidates only. Ballotpedia defines official candidates as people who:

  • Register with a federal or state campaign finance agency before the candidate filing deadline
  • Appear on candidate lists released by government election agencies

Rebecca Bradley's seat

Note: At this time, Ballotpedia is combining all declared candidates for this election into one list under a general election heading. As primary election dates are published, this information will be updated to separate general election candidates from primary candidates as appropriate.
General election

The general election will occur on April 7, 2026.

General election for Wisconsin Supreme Court

Chris Taylor is running in the general election for Wisconsin Supreme Court on April 7, 2026.

Candidate
Image of Chris Taylor
Chris Taylor (Nonpartisan)

Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Voting information

See also: Voting in Wisconsin

Ballotpedia will publish the dates and deadlines related to this election as they are made available.


About the Wisconsin Supreme Court

See also: Wisconsin Supreme Court

The Wisconsin Supreme Court is the highest appellate court in the state of Wisconsin. Seven justices, selected in nonpartisan elections for 10-year terms, sit on the state's court of last resort. The court has jurisdiction over all other Wisconsin courts and can also hear original actions.[8]

Political composition

This is the political composition of the court heading into the 2026 election.

Susan Crawford Elected in 2025
Rebecca Bradley Appointed by Gov. Scott Walker (R) in 2015
Rebecca Dallet Elected in 2018
Brian Hagedorn Elected in 2019
Jill Karofsky Elected in 2020
Janet Claire Protasiewicz Elected in 2023
Annette Ziegler Elected in 2007


Selection

The seven justices of the Wisconsin Supreme Court are elected in statewide nonpartisan elections. Judges serve ten-year terms, and to remain on the court, they must run for re-election after their term expires. Only one seat may be elected in any year, and more than two candidates for each seat must file to have a primary.[9][10]

Qualifications

To serve on the supreme court, a judge must be:

  • licensed to practice law in Wisconsin for a minimum of five years immediately prior to election or appointment
  • under the age of 70.[11]

Chief justice

The chief justice of the court is selected by peer vote for a term of two years.

Vacancies

See also: How vacancies are filled in state supreme courts

In the event of a vacancy on the court, the governor has the power and duty to appoint an individual to the vacancy. The governor screens judicial applicants using an advisory council on judicial selection. The council recommends three to five candidates to the governor, although the governor is not bound by their recommendations. The appointed justice must then stand for election in the first subsequent year in which no other justice's term expires.[10][9][12]

The map below highlights how vacancies are filled in state supreme courts across the country.



Election history

Conservatives gained a 4-3 majority on the court in 2008 following the election of Michael Gableman. Conservatives held an expanded 5-2 majority from 2016-2018 and again from 2019-2020. Liberals gained a majority on the court in 2023 following the election of Janet Claire Protasiewicz.

The chart below details Wisconsin Supreme Court elections between 2005 and 2023.

Wisconsin Supreme Court elections, 2005-2025
Year Winning candidate Ideological lean Percent share of vote Losing candidate Ideological lean Percent share of vote Margin of victory Majority on court Turnout Other statewide elections on ballot
2025 Susan Crawford Liberal 55.0% Brad Schimel Conservative 44.9% 10.1% 4-3 50.1% State Superintendent of Public Instruction
2023 Janet Claire Protasiewicz Liberal 55.4% Daniel Kelly Conservative 44.4% 11.0% 4-3 39.3% None
2020 Jill Karofsky Liberal 55.2% Daniel Kelly Conservative 44.7% 10.5% 4-3 45.8% Primary election - U.S. President
2019 Brian Hagedorn Conservative 50.2% Lisa Neubauer Liberal 49.7% 0.5% 5-2 26.6% None
2018 Rebecca Dallet Liberal 55.8% Michael Screnock Conservative 44.2% 11.5% 4-3 22.2% None
2017 Annette Ziegler
(incumbent)
Conservative 97.2% Write-in -- 2.8% 94.4% 5-2 ~16% State Superintendent of Public Instruction
2016 Rebecca Bradley
(incumbent)
Conservative 52.4% JoAnne Kloppenburg Liberal 47.5% 4.9% 5-2 47.4% Primary election - U.S. President
2015 Ann Walsh Bradley
(incumbent)
Liberal 58.1% James Daley Conservative 41.9% 16.2% 4-3 18.3% None
2013 Patience Roggensack
(incumbent)
Conservative 57.5% Ed Fallone Liberal 42.5% 15% 4-3 20.5% State Superintendent of Public Instruction
2011 David T. Prosser
(incumbent)
Conservative 50.2% JoAnne Kloppenburg Liberal 49.7% 0.5% 4-3 34.3% None
2009 Shirley Abrahamson
(incumbent)
Liberal 59.6% Randy Koschnick Conservative 40.2% 19.4% 4-3 18.2% None
2008 Michael Gableman Conservative 51.1% Louis Butler
(incumbent)
Liberal 48.5% 2.6% 4-3 19.3% None
2007 Annette Ziegler Conservative 58.6% Linda M. Clifford Liberal 41.1% 17.5% 4-3 19.4% None
2006 N. Patrick Crooks
(incumbent)
Liberal 99.4% Write-in -- 0.6% 98.8% 4-3 11.8% None
2005 Ann Walsh Bradley
(incumbent)
Liberal 99.6% Write-in -- 0.4% 99.2% 4-3 17.1% State Superintendent of Public Instruction

Historical election spending

[76][77]

See also

Wisconsin Judicial Selection More Courts
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Courts in Wisconsin
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Wisconsin Supreme Court elections, 2025
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External links

Footnotes

  1. NBC News, "The new liberal majority on the Wisconsin Supreme Court is off to a tense start," April 11, 2024
  2. X, "Matt Smith," August 29, 2025
  3. Wisconsin Public Radio, "Justice Rebecca Bradley will not seek reelection, setting up wide open Wisconsin Supreme Court race," August 29, 2025
  4. 4.0 4.1 Associated Press, "A conservative Wisconsin Supreme Court justice won’t run again, creating an open seat," August 30, 2025
  5. WisPolitics, "FRI REPORT: WisPolitics tally: Supreme Court race spending tops $100M, nearly doubling previous record," March 28, 2025
  6. 6.0 6.1 WisPolitics, "WisPolitics tally shows record $59 million dropped on Supreme Court race so far," March 12, 2025
  7. Wisconsin Elections Commission, "Voter Turnout," accessed September 5, 2025
  8. Wisconsin Court System, "Supreme Court," accessed September 18, 2014
  9. 9.0 9.1 National Center for State Courts, "Methods of Judicial Selection," accessed August 12, 2021
  10. 10.0 10.1 Wisconsin State Legislature, "Wisconsin Constitution," accessed September 19, 2014 (Article VII, Section 4: pg.10) Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name "section4" defined multiple times with different content
  11. Wisconsin State Legislature, "Wisconsin Constitution," accessed September 19, 2014 (Article VII, Section 24: pg.11)
  12. Wisconsin State Legislature, "8.50 - Special elections," accessed April 19, 2023
  13. New York Times, "Wisconsin Spring Election Results," accessed April 1, 2025
  14. Decision Desk HQ, "2025 Wisconsin General," accessed April 1, 2025
  15. Wisconsin Public Radio, "Crawford, Schimel set to square off in another high-profile Wisconsin Supreme Court race," January 8, 2025
  16. CBS News, "Susan Crawford, who represented Planned Parenthood, enters Wisconsin Supreme Court race," June 10, 2024
  17. WKOW-TV, "Dane County Circuit Judge Susan Crawford announces campaign for Wisconsin Supreme Court," June 10, 2024
  18. Wisconsin Public Radio, "Dane County Judge Susan Crawford running for Wisconsin Supreme Court," June 10, 2024
  19. Associated Press, "Liberal Judge Susan Crawford enters race for Wisconsin Supreme Court with majority at stake," June 10, 2024
  20. Wisconsin Public Radio, "All 4 liberal justices back Crawford’s Wisconsin Supreme Court campaign," June 17, 2024
  21. Wisconsin Watch, "Another pivotal Wisconsin Supreme Court election offers two familiar outcomes," January 6, 2025
  22. Dryden Wire, "Brad Schimel Announces Campaign For Wisconsin Supreme Court," November 30, 2023
  23. Brad Schimel 2025 campaign website, "About Brad," accessed January 7, 2025
  24. Dryden Wire, "Brad Schimel Announces Campaign For Wisconsin Supreme Court," November 30, 2023
  25. Brad Schimel 2025 campaign website, "Endorsements," accessed March 11, 2025
  26. Associated Press, "Trump backs Wisconsin Supreme Court candidate in hotly contested race," March 21, 2025
  27. WisPolitics, "FRI REPORT: WisPolitics tally: Supreme Court race spending tops $100M, nearly doubling previous record," March 28, 2025
  28. Associated Press, "Billionaires Musk and Soros push Wisconsin Supreme Court race spending over $100M," April 4, 2025
  29. New York Times, "Rallying Anti-Musk Donors, Liberal Judge Raises $24 Million in Key Court Contest," March 24, 2025
  30. Washington Post, "Expensive court race will decide future of abortion in Wisconsin," April 2, 2023
  31. Associated Press, "Ad wars begin in closely watched Wisconsin Supreme Court race," January 13, 2025
  32. The Hill, "Wisconsin tees up high-stakes Supreme Court race with partisan control on the line," November 24, 2024
  33. Democracy Docket, "What To Watch for in Pivotal Wisconsin Supreme Court Race," June 17, 2024
  34. In heated Wisconsin Supreme Court debate, candidates tangle over 'fake elector' scheme, "NBC," March 21, 2023
  35. Wisconsin Public Radio, "Milwaukee County Judge Janet Protasiewicz announces candidacy for state Supreme Court," May 25, 2022
  36. The Hill, "Five races to watch in 2023," December 7, 2022
  37. Wisconsin State Journal, "Here's why the Wisconsin Supreme Court race matters," November 26, 2022
  38. Spectrum News 1, "The campaigns aren't over yet, as the focus shifts to a high-stakes Supreme Court race in Wisconsin," November 14, 2022
  39. 39.0 39.1 Wisconsin Public Radio, "Wisconsin's next partisan battle will be over the balance of power on its Supreme Court," December 1, 2022
  40. The Cap Times, "Devin LeMahieu endorses Jennifer Dorow in Wisconsin Supreme Court race," January 5, 2023
  41. Wisconsin Examiner, "Attempting to shift balance, Janet Protasiewicz says she’ll bring fairness to state Supreme Court," December 12, 2022
  42. Spectrum News 1, "Wisconsin's race for state Supreme Court heats up as the field of candidates grows," November 30, 2022
  43. WISN Channel 12, "Wisconsin Supreme Court race," January 1, 2023
  44. PBS Wisconsin, "Meet the candidates running in the 2023 Wisconsin Supreme Court primary," January 4, 2023
  45. Spectrum News, "I think the public should know what our values are: Judge Janet Protasiewicz explains her bid for Supreme Court," February 14, 2023
  46. AP: Daniel Kelly and Judge Janet Protasiewicz advance to April's Wisconsin Supreme Court race," February 22, 2023
  47. WisPolitics, "Kelly campaign: Daniel Kelly launches his campaign to serve on the Wisconsin Supreme Court," September 8, 2022
  48. 48.0 48.1 NBC News, "In heated Wisconsin Supreme Court debate, candidates tangle over 'fake elector' scheme," March 21, 2023
  49. WisPolitics, "Kelly, Protasiewicz trade barbs in only Supreme Court debate," March 21, 2023
  50. WisPolitics, "Protasiewicz campaign: Judge Janet Protasiewicz announces endorsement of Justice Rebecca Dallet," May 31, 2022
  51. WisPolitics, "Justice Ann Walsh Bradley: Endorses Judge Janet Protasiewicz for Wisconsin Supreme Court," February 7, 2023
  52. WisPolitics, "Justice Karofsky: Endorses Judge Protasiewicz for Wisconsin Supreme Court," February 22, 2023
  53. Emily's List, "EMILYs List Endorses Janet Protasiewicz for Wisconsin Supreme Court," February 9, 2023
  54. WisPolitics, "Kelly campaign: Judicial conservatives Justice Rebecca Bradley & Judge Shelley Grogan endorse Daniel Kelly," November 14, 2022
  55. PBS Wisconsin, "Kelly's work for anti-abortion group raised in 2023 Wisconsin Supreme Court race," Associated Press, 2023
  56. WisPolitics, "WisPolitics tally shows record $59 million dropped on Supreme Court race so far," March 12, 2025
  57. WisPolitics, "WisPolitics review: Spending in Supreme Court race surpasses $45 million," March 24, 2023
  58. 58.0 58.1 NBC, "Cash bail could play a big role in a crucial Wisconsin election," February 28, 2023
  59. The New York Times, "Live: Wisconsin Supreme Court and Statewide Election Results," accessed April 13, 2020
  60. WKOW, "Gov. Walker appoints Daniel Kelly to Wisconsin Supreme Court," accessed July 24, 2016
  61. 61.0 61.1 61.2 Wisconsin Public Radio, "Wisconsin Supreme Court Candidates Debate Role Of Politics, Precedent," November 19, 2019
  62. WUWM, "Judge Jill Karofsky Wants To End 'Corruption' If Elected To Wisconsin Supreme Court," January 2, 2020
  63. Daniel Kelly's 2020 campaign website, "Judicial Philosophy," accessed January 23, 2020
  64. Wisconsin Vote, "Election Results," accessed February 18, 2020
  65. Wisconsin Elections Commission, "Candidate Tracking by Office, 2017 Spring Election - 4/4/2017," accessed January 5, 2017
  66. WEAU.com, "Walker appoints Appeals Judge Bradley to WI High Court," October 9, 2015
  67. Wisconsin State Journal, "Scott Walker appoints Rebecca Bradley to Supreme Court," October 10, 2015
  68. AP, "Wisconsin Summary Vote Results," accessed April 6, 2016
  69. Wisconsin Government Accountability Board, "Election Results," accessed April 6, 2016
  70. Wisconsin Government Accountability Board, "Candidates Registered 2015 Spring Election," January 8, 2015
  71. Wisconsin Election Commission, "2015 Spring Election Results," accessed September 19, 2019
  72. Fox 6 News, Ann Walsh Bradley elected to a third term on Wisconsin Supreme Court, defeating James Daley," April 7, 2015
  73. Wisconsin Court System, "Justice Ann Walsh Bradley," accessed February 13, 2015
  74. Wisconsin Court System, "Wisconsin Supreme Court selects chief judges," June 28, 2013
  75. Wisconsin Government Accountability Board, "Results of Spring General Election," April 7, 2009
  76. New York Times, "Rallying Anti-Musk Donors, Liberal Judge Raises $24 Million in Key Court Contest," March 24, 2025
  77. X, "Matt Smith," March 23, 2025