On April 4th, voters in Wisconsin will choose between a liberal and a conservative candidate for the state Supreme Court. That decision could upend the state’s historic GOP control for decades.
The race, with abortion advocates and opponents putting everything on the line, has become the most expensive state Supreme Court race in the country. Over $37 million had been spent heading into the final week.
“This is not normal for a spring election. This is not normal for a Supreme Court election. The number of people who know about the Wisconsin Supreme Court is pretty incredible,” Analiese Eicher, a Planned Parenthood consultant, said.
The court will tip in favor of whichever candidate gets elected, conservative or liberal. Abortion activists hope their preferred candidate will either uphold or strike down the state’s 1849 trigger ban when it eventually reaches the court.
But abortion is far from the only matter in play.
The future of the GOP in Wisconsin and beyond could very well be at risk.
Long-Term Political Control Up for Grabs
The GOP has historically controlled most levels of power in Wisconsin, aside from the governorship.
But a liberal win on April 4th would give them an effective majority in the Supreme Court and bring the potential of redrawn state and congressional district lines.
Wisconsin’s districts underwent fierce court battles after the 2020 census that went up to the US Supreme Court. Reopening the case with a new state Supreme Court would likely put two red-leaning seats at risk.
Indeed, Democrat-backed Janet Protasiewicz criticized the district lines in the only debate between the two candidates.
“I don’t think anybody thinks those maps are fair. Anybody,” she said.
She called them out once again at a different event. “I would certainly welcome the opportunity to have a fresh look at our maps.”
Republicans also worry much of their legacy could be overturned if the court leans liberal, including voter ID laws and gun owner rights.
“All those things, they don’t appear on the ballot, but they really are on the ballot,” Republican activist Orville Seymer said.
