Money doesn't just talk in Wisconsin politics anymore; it screams. If you thought the record-shattering $51 million spent in 2023 was a lot, or the nearly $100 million dumped into the 2025 race was insanity, buckle up. We are heading into the Wisconsin Supreme Court race AP reports are already calling a lopsided financial fight, and the election isn't even here yet.
Honestly, the stakes feel a bit different this time. In the last two cycles, the entire ideological soul of the court was on the line. We saw the bench flip from a 4-3 conservative majority to a 4-3 liberal majority. Now, the liberals are sitting on a comfortable lead after Susan Crawford trounced Brad Schimel in April 2025.
So, why does the 2026 race even matter? Basically, it’s about whether the liberals can build a "super-majority" or if conservatives can stop the bleeding.
The Two Judges Facing Off
Since incumbent conservative Justice Rebecca Bradley decided to bow out and not seek a second 10-year term, we’ve got an open seat. Usually, these races have a primary, but because only two people filed by the January deadline, we’re skipping straight to the general election on April 7, 2026.
On one side, you've got Chris Taylor. She’s currently a judge on the Wisconsin Court of Appeals, but most people know her from her decade-long stint as a Democratic state representative from Madison. She’s also got "Planned Parenthood" on her resume, which tells you everything you need to know about where the attack ads will focus.
Then there’s Maria Lazar. She’s also an Appeals Court judge, hailing from the more conservative Waukesha County. She’s got the backing of the "law and order" crowd and was formerly an assistant attorney general under Republican leadership.
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The Massive Cash Gap
Here is the stat that's making everyone do a double-take: According to mid-January 2026 filings, Taylor has raised roughly $2.6 million. Lazar? She’s sitting at about $200,000.
That is a 10-to-1 ratio.
It’s kinda wild to see a statewide race this lopsided this early. Taylor’s been building this war chest since May 2025, while Lazar didn’t jump in until October. In a state where TV ads in Milwaukee and Green Bay cost a fortune, that head start is basically a mountain Lazar has to climb in a pair of flip-flops.
Why the Ideological Balance Isn't Changing (Yet)
You’ve probably heard people say this race "doesn't matter" because the liberals already have the 4-3 majority. That's sorta true, but also a bit short-sighted.
- If Chris Taylor wins: The liberal majority grows to 5-2. This gives them a massive cushion. Even if one liberal justice has to recuse themselves or flips on a specific issue, the "progressive" wing still holds the gavel.
- If Maria Lazar wins: The court stays at 4-3 liberal. Conservatives essentially "hold the line."
The real drama comes later. The next seat up after this isn't until 2028. If Taylor wins now, liberals are basically guaranteed control of the court for the rest of the decade, regardless of what happens in '28.
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What’s Actually on the Line?
The Wisconsin Supreme Court race AP coverage often focuses on the "horse race," but the actual cases are what affect your Friday night.
The court is currently staring down massive decisions. We’re talking about the future of collective bargaining for public workers (the ghost of Act 10). We’re talking about voting rules for the 2026 midterms and the 2028 presidential cycle. And, of course, abortion access. While the court already tossed the 1849 ban in July 2025, there are always new challenges regarding clinics and regulations.
Lazar has been very vocal about "judicial restraint." She basically says judges should just say what the law is, not what they want it to be. Taylor, meanwhile, talks about a "people-centered" philosophy. It’s the classic "Originalist vs. Living Constitution" debate, just with a lot more Badger State flavor.
The Musk and Soros Factor
We can't talk about Wisconsin judicial races without mentioning the "Boogeymen." In 2025, Elon Musk went all-in for the conservative candidate, even handing out $1 million checks to voters. On the other side, George Soros and various "dark money" groups poured millions into the liberal effort.
Will they show up for 2026?
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So far, the national big-spenders seem a little quieter, likely because the 4-3 majority is already settled. But don't count them out. If internal polling shows Lazar within striking distance, expect the out-of-state money to flood the Madison and Milwaukee airwaves by March.
What to Watch Next
The campaign is about to hit the "annoying" phase where every YouTube video you watch starts with a 15-second attack ad. Here is what you should actually keep an eye on:
- Endorsements: Taylor already has the "liberal bloc" of the current court (Dallet, Karofsky, Protasiewicz, and Crawford) behind her. Watch to see if Lazar can consolidate the entire GOP establishment, which has been a bit fractured lately.
- Turnout: These April elections are weird. Sometimes only 20% of people show up. If it’s a low-turnout "snowstorm" election, the candidate with the most motivated base wins.
- The Governor's Race: Since 2026 is also a gubernatorial election year, this Supreme Court race is acting like a "pre-season" game. How people vote in April will tell us a lot about whether Democrats can actually pull off a "trifecta" (Governor, Senate, Assembly) in November.
The filing period is closed. The candidates are set. Now we just wait to see if $2.6 million is enough to buy a seat, or if a late-game conservative surge can keep the court's balance on a knife's edge.
Next Steps for Voters:
- Check your registration status at MyVote Wisconsin before the March deadline.
- Review the specific rulings of both judges on the Wisconsin Court of Appeals to see their actual track records rather than just their campaign slogans.
- Prepare for the April 7, 2026 general election, as there is no February primary for this seat.