In April 2023, Wisconsin will hold an election to fill a seat on its state supreme court. This election has the potential to shift the balance of power on the court, which currently consists of four conservative-leaning justices and three liberal-leaning justices.
The seat that is up for election is currently held by Justice Daniel Kelly, who was appointed by former Republican Governor Scott Walker in 2016. Justice Kelly is considered to be a conservative justice, and his replacement could have a significant impact on the court's ideological makeup.
As of early 2023, several candidates have announced their intention to run for the seat. They include Judge Jill Karofsky, who currently serves on the Wisconsin Court of Appeals and ran unsuccessfully for the state supreme court in 2020; Judge Rebecca Dallet, also of the Wisconsin Court of Appeals; and attorney and former Democratic state representative Chris Taylor.
Judge Karofsky, who is widely considered to be the front-runner in the race, has emphasized her experience as a trial court judge and prosecutor, as well as her commitment to progressive values. She has also received endorsements from several prominent Wisconsin Democrats, including Governor Tony Evers and U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin.
Judge Dallet, who was elected to the Wisconsin Court of Appeals in 2018, has highlighted her experience as a trial court judge, prosecutor, and public defender. She has also emphasized her commitment to judicial independence and impartiality.
Chris Taylor, the only non-judge in the race, has focused her campaign on issues such as criminal justice reform, climate change, and access to healthcare. She has received endorsements from several progressive organizations, including Our Wisconsin Revolution and the Wisconsin Working Families Party.
The race has already attracted significant outside spending from interest groups on both sides of the political spectrum. Conservative groups such as the Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce and the Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty have announced plans to spend millions of dollars to support Justice Kelly's re-election, while liberal groups such as the Greater Wisconsin Committee and the Democratic Attorneys General Association have pledged to spend significant sums to support Judge Karofsky.
The outcome of the election could have significant implications for the future of the Wisconsin Supreme Court. If Judge Karofsky or another liberal-leaning candidate were to win, it could shift the court's balance of power to the left, potentially making it more likely to strike down conservative policies and uphold progressive ones. On the other hand, if Justice Kelly were to be re-elected or another conservative-leaning candidate were to win, it could solidify the court's current ideological makeup and make it more difficult for progressives to achieve their policy goals through the court system.
In conclusion,
the 2023 Wisconsin Supreme Court election is shaping up to be a highly contested and consequential race. With outside groups on both sides pouring in money and resources, and with multiple candidates vying for the seat, the outcome of the election could have a major impact on the direction of the state's judiciary for years to come.