A New Era for Wisconsin’s Judiciary
The Wisconsin Supreme Court’s election on April 1, 2025, marked a transformative moment for the state’s legal landscape. Liberal candidate Susan M. Crawford triumphed over conservative incumbent Brad Schimel, securing a victory that dramatically alters the ideological makeup of the court. The election, which became a highly contested national event, was historic not only for its outcome but also for the unprecedented financial and political investment it attracted, with over $90 million in spending from donors both within Wisconsin and across the nation.
Crawford’s victory resulted in a 4-3 liberal majority, effectively ending years of conservative control. The shift in the court’s balance is seen by many political observers as indicative of larger national trends, particularly concerning debates over judicial independence, voting rights, and the evolving state of democracy in the United States. Her win has already garnered attention as a potential harbinger of future political shifts in state-level judiciary races nationwide.
The Power of Money and Political Messaging
The election’s record-breaking expenditure highlights just how significant this race was in terms of both state and national implications. Political action committees (PACs) from both the Democratic and Republican sides invested heavily in advertising, organizing, and legal support. Crawford’s campaign focused on defending reproductive rights, upholding democratic principles, and tackling partisan gerrymandering—a key issue in Wisconsin, where the fairness of electoral maps has been hotly contested for years. Her messaging also resonated with voters who expressed concerns over the politicization of the judicial system and its potential to undermine democratic processes.
Schimel, who had previously served as Wisconsin’s attorney general, framed his campaign around the idea of protecting the court from what he termed liberal overreach. He warned that a left-leaning judiciary could weaken policies related to crime, administrative powers, and public safety. Despite his efforts, Crawford’s message of judicial fairness and integrity won broad support, especially in urban and suburban areas that have traditionally leaned toward progressive candidates. The result was a decisive win that echoed broader national concerns over the future of the judiciary.
Potential Impact on Voting Rights and Redistricting
One of the most immediate consequences of Crawford’s election is the potential for major changes in how Wisconsin approaches voting rights and redistricting. Wisconsin has long been at the center of debates over gerrymandering, with state legislative districts widely considered to be among the most politically skewed in the nation. The new liberal majority on the Supreme Court could lead to a reevaluation of previous decisions that upheld partisan gerrymandering and restricted access to voting through measures like absentee ballot limitations.
With several cases related to the state’s electoral process still pending or likely to emerge, the court’s new ideological tilt could have significant ramifications for how future elections are conducted in Wisconsin. As a critical swing state in presidential elections, any changes in its electoral laws could have broader consequences for the national political landscape.
Wisconsin as a Microcosm of National Political Divides
While the Wisconsin Supreme Court race was, at its core, a state election, it quickly became a symbol of deeper national divisions. The highly charged contest underscored the increasing polarization of the judicial system, with both parties framing judicial appointments as critical to achieving their broader political goals. This dynamic has intensified in recent years, with high-profile debates over federal judicial nominations furthering the sense that the courts are becoming more politicized.
Crawford’s victory serves as a reminder that local races, especially those involving the judiciary, are often intertwined with national political trends. In the lead-up to the 2026 midterm elections, her win could signal a shift toward more progressive judicial appointments and decisions across the nation. As one political analyst put it, “Wisconsin just became the front line of America’s legal and political future.” With this election, the state has become a bellwether for the broader struggle over the future of the American judicial system and the political forces that shape it.