Justice Ann Walsh Bradley of the Wisconsin Supreme Court announced that she will not be seeking re-election for a fourth term, sparking a contentious battle for control of the closely divided court. With Justice Walsh Bradley being one of the four liberal justices on the court, her departure will shift the balance of power further towards the conservative side. Having served on the court for 29 years, Justice Walsh Bradley expressed her desire to retire and pass the torch to bring fresh perspectives to the court.
During her remaining time on the bench until July 2025, Justice Walsh Bradley plans to focus on promoting civics education in Wisconsin, particularly emphasizing the role of the courts in the government. Her decision not to seek re-election has already attracted attention from potential candidates, including Brad Schimel, a former Wisconsin attorney general. With Wisconsin Supreme Court elections being officially nonpartisan and held in April, the upcoming race to replace Justice Walsh Bradley is anticipated to be fiercely contested, reminiscent of the recent heated election that centered around issues like abortion rights and gerrymandered legislative maps.
The aftermath of the previous contentious election which saw a liberal victory, with the court ordering a redraw of legislative maps, highlights the significant impact that these judicial elections can have on governance in Wisconsin. Given the state’s closely divided electorate between Republicans and Democrats, statewide elections are often characterized by slim margins of victory, underscoring the importance of each seat on the Wisconsin Supreme Court. As the race to succeed Justice Walsh Bradley heats up, the outcome will have far-reaching implications for the future trajectory of the state’s highest court and the policies it shapes.