Overview

• Justice Rebecca Bradley said she is stepping aside to focus on rebuilding conservatism and warned of “judicial activists” making the court too powerful.
• Her departure creates an open seat on a court now controlled 4-3 by liberals, a margin that would grow to 5-2 if they capture the seat next year.
• State Appeals Court Judge Chris Taylor is the only declared candidate so far, and conservative Appeals Judge Maria Lazar said she is considering a bid.
• Bradley had indicated in April that she would run but reversed course after reporting no new campaign fundraising in the most recent period.
• Wisconsin’s recent high court races set spending records with heavy national involvement, including more than $12 million from Elon Musk, as the justices weigh cases on abortion, labor rights, redistricting and election rules.