Wisconsin Supreme Court race: Chris Taylor wins, growing liberal majority

MADISON, Wis. - Democratic-backed candidate Chris Taylor won election to the Wisconsin Supreme Court on Tuesday evening, April 7.

Liberal control

What we know:

Taylor's win increases liberal control of the state's highest court to 5-2, as cases affecting congressional redistricting, union rights and other hot button issues await in the perennial battleground state.

VOTE TOTALS: Check out 2026 Wisconsin spring election results

Taylor, who focused her campaign on abortion rights, defeated Republican-backed Maria Lazar in the fourth straight victory for liberal court candidates dating back to 2020. Liberals are now guaranteed to hold a majority on the court until at least 2030.

Democrats tightened their control of the court just months before a November election in which they seek to keep the governor’s office and flip the state Legislature, where Republicans have held the majority since 2011. Democrats aspire to undo a host of Republican-enacted laws that made Wisconsin a focal point for the nation’s conservative movement in the 2010s.

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This year’s Supreme Court election stands in stark contrast to the swing state’s previous two, where national spending records were set in battles over majority control. Spending and national attention was down dramatically this year without control of the court at stake.

Another conservative justice is retiring next year, giving liberals a chance to take 6-1 control of the court thanks to Taylor’s victory.

Victory speech

"Tonight, the people of Wisconsin spoke," said Justice-elect Taylor. "What they said is clear — we are moving forward, for our rights, for our democracy, for every family in this state that deserves a fair shot at justice. Tonight we stand strongly for a state Supreme Court that prioritizes the people of Wisconsin, their rights, their lives, and the independence of our great state. And for a Court that holds everyone accountable under the law — no matter how powerful or privileged. I will be a justice for you, the people of Wisconsin. Thank you, Wisconsin!  Forward we go together!"

Taylor campaign

What we know:

Taylor voted in Madison on Tuesday morning and was joined by her family.

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Taylor has been an appeals court judge since 2020. Before that, she was a lawyer, worked for Planned Parenthood, and served as a state lawmaker.

She spent the last 11 months criss-crossing Wisconsin.

Responses come in

What they're saying:

Democratic Party of Wisconsin Chair Devin Remiker

"Justice-elect Chris Taylor’s victory is a resounding rejection of the extreme, right-wing political agenda in favor of Supreme Court justices who will protect the fundamental rights and freedoms of everyone in our state. Justice-elect Chris Taylor will be the fair and independent voice that Wisconsinites deserve on the state Supreme Court. 

Wisconsinites showed up in droves to elect Chris Taylor because they know every election is an emergency. The victory Wisconsinites delivered tonight is an indictment of Trump and Tom Tiffany, who are using the federal government to bully and intimidate people into submission. Our state Supreme Court has repeatedly shown it is the last line of defense against the federal government’s unconstitutional overreach, and with tonight’s election, we have secured a pro-freedom, pro-democracy majority on the Court through 2030.

We congratulate and are deeply grateful to Justice-elect Taylor, who will be able to continue her long career of working to protect democracy and Wisconsinites’ freedoms on the Supreme Court. We also thank the thousands of volunteers, elected officials, activists, staff members, and organizers who understood the importance of this race and worked tirelessly to pull off this victory. 

This victory is only the beginning of the fight ahead to win a Democratic trifecta in November and deliver real, lasting change for the working people of Wisconsin."

ACLU of Wisconsin Executive Director Dr. Melinda Brennan

"Wisconsinites once again went to the polls and delivered a clear message about their resounding support for protecting abortion access and defending voting rights in our state.

In the lead up to the election, the ACLU of Wisconsin, in collaboration with the National ACLU, worked hard to ensure voters understood each candidates’ record on key issues facing Wisconsin, educating them about the profound influence the Supreme Court has over our civil rights and civil liberties. We engaged well over 100,000 voters, reaching them over radio, on digital platforms, through the mail and in-person.

Tonight, Wisconsinites proved that no matter what’s going on at the federal level, we can have the greatest impact in our own state and communities."

Wisconsin AFL-CIO President Stephanie Bloomingdale

"Congratulations to Judge Chris Taylor on her victory and election to the Wisconsin Supreme Court, and congratulations to our entire Wisconsin labor movement that proudly stood by her every step of the way. 

Working people came together and sent a clear message: we want a Supreme Court that protects the rights and freedoms of us all. We have confidence Justice Chris Taylor will bring independence and fair judicial review to the court.

Congratulations are also in order to all of the Wisconsin AFL-CIO endorsed candidates who won in local races around the state tonight. Local elections matter and working people are continuing to vote for a Wisconsin that advances the rights and well-being of hard-working families.

Momentum continues to build for November as Wisconsin voters call for an economy that works for working people."

State Sen. Kelda Roys, D-Madison

"Congratulations to Justice-elect Chris Taylor! She has built her career fighting for Wisconsinites to have the freedom to build a better life. Chris’ landslide win shows that Wisconsin is eager to elect experienced, tough, smart women who tell it like it is, to statewide office.

"Having known Chris for nearly 25 years, as a friend and colleague in the reproductive rights movement and the legislature, as a fellow attorney and mom, I know Wisconsinites made the right choice and will be well served by having her on our Supreme Court."

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