Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Bradley Won't Seek Reelection 2026

Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Rebecca Bradley, a conservative, announced she will not seek reelection in 2026, leaving an open seat on the court currently controlled 4-3 by liberals. Bradley cited her concerns about the court's shift toward partisanship and political gamesmanship, stating that her warnings about judicial activists gaining excessive power had gone unheeded. Her decision comes after recent conservative losses in the state's highest court elections, despite significant spending by conservative backers like billionaire Elon Musk. The liberal majority, which broke a 15-year conservative hold in 2023, is expected to maintain control until at least 2028 and could strengthen its majority with the next election. The open seat will be contested amid critical legal issues facing Wisconsin, including abortion, collective bargaining rights, redistricting, and election rules. Chris Taylor, a former Democratic lawmaker and state appeals court judge, is the only announced candidate for the upcoming race.