Wisconsin voters elected appellate judge Chris Taylor to the state Supreme Court on April 7, giving liberals a 5‑to‑2 edge on the bench in a closely watched statewide race. Taylor, 58, previously served as a Democratic lawmaker and pledged to defend democratic norms and free‑speech rights. His victory marks the third liberal win in three consecutive elections, shifting the court’s ideological balance.

The race unfolded with little fanfare compared with prior contests that attracted national fundraising and celebrity endorsements. Taylor out‑raised opponent Maria Lazar by a wide margin, bolstered by a $775,000 contribution from the state Democratic Party, while Lazar received roughly $64,000 from the Republican Party. Early voting lagged, and absentee ballots fell 112,000 short of the 2025 turnout.

Without a marquee issue such as abortion or redistricting dominating the campaign, voter enthusiasm stayed muted, and pollsters noted a sizable undecided bloc. The new liberal majority positions the court to shape upcoming battles over voter‑ID rules and collective‑bargaining limits, arenas where Wisconsin’s business community closely watches judicial outcomes. Taylor’s ascension therefore tightens the policy outlook for employers and unions alike.