Liberal Supreme Court candidate Chris Taylor cruised to victory over conservative Maria Lazar to push the liberal majority to 5-2 on Wisconsin’s highest court.
Liberal Appeals Court Judge Chris Taylor cruised to victory Tuesday in Wisconsin’s Supreme Court race, expanding the court’s liberal majority to a commanding 5-2 and locking in left-leaning control through at least 2030.Taylor, a former Democratic state representative, defeated conservative Appeals Court Judge Maria Lazar in a contest that drew far less national attention and spending than last year’s record-shattering battle.
The Associated Press called the race for Taylor less than an hour after polls closed at 8 p.m., with early returns showing her leading by more than 20 points. With roughly 70% of votes counted late Tuesday, Taylor held about 60% to Lazar’s 39%.
The outcome marks the fourth consecutive win for Democratic-backed candidates in Wisconsin Supreme Court races since 2020. Conservatives had hoped to hold the open seat vacated by retiring conservative Justice Rebecca Bradley, but low overall turnout and a significant spending disadvantage hampered Lazar’s bid. Taylor and her allies outraised and outspent Lazar by wide margins( at times more than 4-to-1 in fundraising and up to 15-to-1 on advertising in the final stretch) allowing her campaign to dominate the airwaves in a quieter election cycle.
The subdued environment, with spending a fraction of the $100 million-plus seen in 2025, resulted in lower voter engagement and many undecideds until the final days. Election Day voting proved decisive, but overall participation fell well short of last year’s near-record spring turnout.
Taylor’s expanded liberal majority on the seven-member court could influence future rulings on issues including Act 10, Voter ID, and congressional redistricting.
