April 7th Election Resources
Milwaukee · Independent Local News
2026 Wisconsin Election · Know Your Candidates
Wisconsin
Supreme Court
Race
Supreme Court
Race
Liberal · Democratic-backed
Judge
Chris Taylor
Chris Taylor
4th District Court of Appeals, Madison
Background
Private practice → Policy director, Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin (8 yrs) → WI State Assembly (2011–2020, Democrat) → Dane County Circuit Court (Evers appt., 2020) → Court of Appeals (2023, ran unopposed).
Key Supporters
Democratic Party of Wisconsin · U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin · Chief Justice Jill Karofsky · Former Justice Ann Walsh Bradley
Total Fundraising Raised
$4.2 million in total contributions
Campaign Theme
Expanding a "pro-democracy" majority; protecting elections, reproductive rights, and fair maps. Emphasizes legislative experience as an asset for understanding how laws affect real people.
Conservative · Republican-backed
Judge
Maria Lazar
Maria Lazar
2nd District Court of Appeals, Waukesha
Background
Private practice → WI Dept. of Justice, Asst. Attorney General (under AG JB Van Hollen) → Waukesha County Circuit Court (elected 2015, 2021) → Court of Appeals (elected 2022, unseated Evers appointee).
Key Supporters
Former Gov. Scott Walker · All six WI Republican members of Congress · Donors Diane Hendricks & Liz Uihlein ($20K each)
Total Fundraising Raised
$680,000 in total contributions
Campaign Theme
Judicial restraint, no "legislating from the bench." Preventing the liberal majority from growing to 5 justices. Stresses courtroom experience and traditional judicial philosophy over legislative background.
Issue by Issue
TAYLOR
LAZAR
2020 Election Lawsuit
Would have rejected Trump's effort to throw out 220,000+ Dane and Milwaukee County ballots. Calls the 4–3 decision to uphold Biden's win alarming because it came down to one vote.
Declined to say how she would have ruled, citing standing doctrine and not wanting to prejudge similar future cases. Says she strongly believes every legal, valid vote should be counted.
Judicial Philosophy
Progressive values; cites need for courts to protect democracy and stand up for people — "not the most powerful." Believes legislative background makes her a stronger judge.
Strict constructionism; courts should not "cater to public whims" or "legislate from the bench." Federalist Society member. Defended Walker-era laws (Voter ID, Act 10) as Asst. AG.
Recusal Standard
Evaluates each case individually to ensure she can be fair and impartial, per ethical obligations.
Follows US Supreme Court and WI rules; considers both objective and subjective bias — will step back if there is an "appearance of impropriety."
Criminal Justice
Voted against some crime-victim bills in legislature; campaign says WI already had victim protections. Championed Safe at Home Act for domestic violence survivors.
Criticized Taylor's legislative votes on crime-victim legislation. Backed by GOP groups citing Taylor's record. Has not outlined specific criminal justice reform positions.
Court Reform
No position on changing WI's Supreme Court election system noted in public statements.
Has indicated interest in reforming how Wisconsin holds its high-court elections, calling recent campaigns "overboard."
Redistricting
Describes GOP-drawn maps as unfair; says the court must protect voters from maps that devalue their votes. Supports the court's role in holding lawmakers accountable.
Has not commented on the specific maps. Opposes "legislating from the bench," implying deference to the legislature on drawing district lines.