Wisconsin Appeals Court Judge Maria Lazar Launches Supreme Court Bid

Maria Lazar, a conservative judge on the Wisconsin Appeals Court, officially announced her candidacy for an open seat on the state Supreme Court on Wednesday. Her campaign comes in response to heightened concerns over the increasing politicization of the judiciary, particularly following record-breaking campaign expenditures in the previous race, which saw significant financial backing from billionaires such as Elon Musk and George Soros.

Campaign Focus and Judicial Independence

In her campaign announcement, Lazar emphasized her commitment to maintaining an impartial judiciary. “We must stop the politicization of our courts,” she declared in a video launch. Lazar positions herself as an “independent, impartial judge” who aims to restore integrity to the judicial system. This election will take place in April 2024, with Lazar being the first conservative candidate to enter the race.

Opposing her is Chris Taylor, a liberal appeals court judge and former Democratic state lawmaker. The last two Supreme Court elections in Wisconsin have seen conservative candidates lose by significant margins, highlighting a trend of increasing liberal influence in the state’s judiciary. In recent years, liberal candidates have won four out of the last five Supreme Court races, resulting in a 4-3 liberal majority that ended a 15-year period of conservative control.

Background and Political Landscape

Lazar, who has served on the state court of appeals since 2022, previously worked as a prosecutor for the Wisconsin Department of Justice. Her legal career spans over 20 years in private practice before she was appointed as an assistant attorney general in 2011. During her tenure, she played a significant role in defending laws that have sparked controversy, including Act 10, which curtailed collective bargaining rights for public workers. This law was upheld by the state Supreme Court in 2011, but its constitutionality has since been challenged.

Despite her experience, Lazar may face financial challenges in her campaign. Taylor has reportedly raised over $1 million as of August, establishing a substantial fundraising lead. Lazar’s campaign is particularly significant given the backdrop of high-stakes legal issues that may soon come before the court, including abortion rights, election rules, and congressional redistricting.

Current Supreme Court Justice Rebecca Bradley announced in August that she would not seek re-election, leaving the seat open for Lazar and Taylor to compete for judicial influence in Wisconsin. As the political climate intensifies, the outcome of this election could have lasting effects on the state’s legal landscape.

With the potential for critical cases to reach the Supreme Court soon, the stakes are high. If liberal candidates maintain their majority after the upcoming election, they could solidify control until at least 2028, a scenario that would further shift the balance of power in Wisconsin’s judicial system.