Liberals tighten grip on battleground state Supreme Court in low-key but high-stakes election

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Liberals expanded their majority on the Wisconsin Supreme Court inan election Tuesday, strengthening control in a key battleground state, in a ballot box showdown that drew limited national attention but had plenty riding on the results.

Wisconsin Appeals Court Judge Chris Taylor, a former democratic state representative, defeated Appeals Court Judge Maria Lazar, a conservative, the Associated Press reports.

Taylor will succeed a retiring conservative justice and with the victory, liberals will expand their majority on the state Supreme Court to 5-2.

While officially a non-partisan contest, state Supreme Courtelections in Wisconsinhave become extremely partisan in recent election cycles.

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Wisconsin state Supreme Court candidates Maria Lazar, left, and Chris Taylor debate

Wisconsin Supreme Court candidates, Court of Appeals Judges Maria Lazar, left, and Chris Taylor participate in the Wisconsin Supreme Court debate hosted by WISN 12 News on Thursday, April 2, 2026, at WISN-TV in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.(Jovanny Hernandez/Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel via AP, Pool)

With the court’s majority on the line in last year’s contest, outside money poured in and out-of-state door knockers blanketed Wisconsin.One of the biggest spenders was Trump allyElon Musk, who headlined a rally days before the election and donned a cheesehead hat worn by fans of the Green Bay Packers.Musk also personally handed out $1 million checks to voters.

Elon Musk speaking at a town hall meeting in Green Bay, Wisconsin.

Then-Trump adviser Elon Musk appears at a town hall meeting Green Bay, Wisconsin, in March.Musk and his super PACs spent more than $2 million to support conservative Supreme Court candidate Brad Schimel’s campaign.(Scott Olson/Getty)

Since the majority wasn’t at stake in this year’s showdown, the campaign battle wasn’t showered with national resources, money, or attention.

“Tonight the people of Wisconsin stood up for our courts and freedoms, our democracy, our elections and a strong state Supreme Court that will protect the independence of our beloved state,” Taylor told supporters at her victory celebration.

Lazar, in her concession speech, told supporters that “the fight is not over and we will keep fighting for our courts because they are that important.”

With most votes tallied, Taylor held a larger than expected 19-point margin over Lazar.And national Democrats were quick to tout the over performance.

“Wisconsin voters showed up and sent another big message to Republicans, securing a liberal majority until 2030!” Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin said in a social media post.”

Liberals took control of the state Supreme Court in 2023, ending a decade and a half of conservative control.Since taking the majority, the liberals have reversed several election-related rulings by the prior conservative majority, including one that banned absentee ballot drop boxes.

Wisconsin state capitol building in Madison with blue sky background

The Wisconsin state capitol, in Madison, Wisconsin, on April 1, 2025.Republicans control both chambers of the state legislature, while Democrats control the governor’s office.

This year’s campaign focused on abortion rights, congressional redistricting, and union rights cases that will likely come in front of the state Supreme Court.

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The judicial ballot box showdown also came six months ahead of November’s elections, when Democrats in Wisconsin aim to keep control of the governor’s office and potentially flip the state legislature, which Republicans have controlled for 15 years.