Campaign

First candidate announces run for Wisconsin high court

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by Caroline Vakil - 04/16/26 5:02 PM ET

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by Caroline Vakil - 04/16/26 5:02 PM ET

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Clark County Circuit Court Judge Lyndsey Brunette became the first candidate to announce a run for a spot on the Wisconsin Supreme Court — an announcement that came just one week after the Badger State held a contest for another seat on the high court.

“Today, on the bench, I make sure the law is applied fairly and equally because in our courts, justice shouldn’t depend on who you are, your politics or how much money you have,” Brunette, who was elected in her role as a Democrat, said in her launch ad. “I’m running for the Wisconsin Supreme Court because those principles matter now more than ever.”

“Judges should follow the facts and the law, respect the Constitution and protect the rights and freedoms of everyone,” she added. “That means protecting your personal health care rights, safeguarding voting rights, supporting public safety and ensuring fairness for all.”

Conservative Justice Annette Ziegler announced earlier this year that she would not be seeking reelection for her spot on the state’s high court. While Wisconsin Supreme Court races are technically nonpartisan, major candidates are largely backed by state parties.

Liberals scored a key win last week when Justice-elect Chris Taylor, a liberal, won an open spot on the state Supreme Court against conservative candidate Maria Lazar. The two were vying for the seat vacated by conservative Justice Rebecca Bradley, who also said she would not be seeking reelection after her current term.

Once Taylor joins the court, liberals will have a 5-2 majority on the bench. If liberals win the open seat next year, it could further stretch their edge to a 6-1 margin.

Recent years have underscored how rapidly the makeup of the Wisconsin high court has shifted. Liberals flipped the state Supreme Court for the first time in 15 years when Justice Janet Protasiewicz beat former state Supreme Court Justice Dan Kelly in 2023.

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