2025 Wisconsin Supreme Court election

2025 Wisconsin Supreme Court election

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Candidate Susan Crawford Brad Schimel

Incumbent Justice Ann Walsh Bradley

The 2025 Wisconsin Supreme Court election will be held on April 1, 2025, to elect a justice of the Wisconsin Supreme Court for a ten-year term. The incumbent justice, Ann Walsh Bradley, is retiring after 30 years on the court. Although the Wisconsin Supreme Court justices are considered nonpartisan, Bradley has identified as a liberal and has voted with the liberal 4–3 majority on the court, meaning the outcome of this election will decide the ideological majority of the court for at least the next year. ^[1] By early March, the election had already become the most expensive judicial election in United States history, with spending exceeding $59 million. ^[2]

The in-person early voting period runs from March 18 to March 30, 2025. ^[3]

Candidates

Although Wisconsin Supreme Court elections are officially nonpartisan, media outlets have identified Susan Crawford as the liberal, Democratic-aligned candidate, and Brad Schimel as the conservative, Republican-aligned candidate. ^{[4] [5]}

Declared

• Susan Crawford, ^[a] Dane County Circuit Court judge (2018–present) ^[6]
• Brad Schimel, ^[b] Waukesha County Circuit Court judge (2019–present) and former Wisconsin attorney general (2015–2019) ^[7]

Withdrawn

• Ann Walsh Bradley, ^[a] incumbent Supreme Court justice (1995–present) ^[1] (endorsed Crawford) ^[8]

Declined

• Pedro Colón, ^[a] Wisconsin Court of Appeals judge (2023–present) and former state representative (1999–2011) ^[10] (endorsed Crawford) ^[11]
• Dan Kelly, ^[c] former Wisconsin Supreme Court justice (2016–2020) ^[13]
• Maria Lazar, ^[d] Wisconsin Court of Appeals judge (2022–present) (endorsed Schimel) ^[15]
• Chris Taylor, ^[a] Wisconsin Court of Appeals judge (2023–present) and former state representative (2011–2019) ^[16] (endorsed Crawford) ^[11]

General election

Endorsements

Susan Crawford

U.S. attorneys general

• Eric Holder, former U.S. attorney general (2009–2015) (Democratic) ^[17]

U.S. senators

• Tammy Baldwin, U.S. senator from Wisconsin (2013–present) (Democratic) ^[18]

Judicial officials

• Ann Walsh Bradley, Wisconsin Supreme Court justice (1995–present) ^[8]
• Louis B. Butler, former Wisconsin Supreme Court justice (2004–2008) ^[19]
• Rebecca Dallet, Wisconsin Supreme Court justice (2018–present) ^[8]
• Jill Karofsky, Wisconsin Supreme Court justice (2020–present) ^[8]
• Janet Protasiewicz, Wisconsin Supreme Court justice (2023–present) ^[8]
• 15 Wisconsin Court of Appeals judges ^[11]

Individuals

• Jon Bauman, musician and activist ^[20]
• Harry Dunn, former U.S. Capitol Police officer (2008–2023) ^[21]
• Ken Martin, chair of the Democratic National Committee (2025–present) ^[22]
• George Soros, investor and founder of Open Society Foundations ^[23]
• Mini Timmaraju, president of Reproductive Freedom for All (2021–present) ^[24]
• Ben Wikler, chair of the Wisconsin Democratic Party (2019–present) ^[25]

Labor unions

• Amalgamated Transit Union Local 998 ^[26]
• American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Council 32 ^[27]
• American Federation of Teachers Wisconsin ^[28]
• Communications Workers of America Local 1150 ^[29]
• International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers Local 18 ^[30]
• International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 494 and Wisconsin State Conference ^{[31] [32]}
• International Union of Operating Engineers Local 420 ^[33]
• Madison Teachers Inc. ^[34]
• North Central States Regional Council of Carpenters ^[35]
• Service Employees International Union Wisconsin ^[36]
• United Auto Workers Region 4 ^[37]
• Wisconsin AFL-CIO ^[38]
• Wisconsin Education Association Council ^[39]
• Wisconsin Laborers District Council ^[40]

Newspapers

• The Shepherd Express ^[41]

Organizations

• 350 Wisconsin Action ^[42]
• Citizen Action of Wisconsin ^[43]
• College Democrats of Wisconsin ^[44]
• EMILY's List ^[45]
• Freedom From Religion Foundation Action Fund ^[46]
• High School Democrats of Wisconsin ^[44]
• Human Rights Campaign ^[47]
• Indivisible Action ^[48]
• Jewish Democratic Council of America ^[49]
• MoveOn ^[50]
• National Association of Social Workers Wisconsin ^[51]
• National Democratic Redistricting Committee ^[17]
• Our Wisconsin Revolution ^[52]
• Planned Parenthood Advocates of Wisconsin ^[53]
• Reproductive Freedom for All ^[24]
• Sierra Club Wisconsin ^[54]
• Sister District Wisconsin ^[55]
• Social Security Works ^[20]
• Swing Left ^[56]
• Third Act Wisconsin ^[57]
• Wisconsin Conservation Voters ^[58]
• Young Democrats of Wisconsin ^[44]

Political parties

• Wisconsin Democratic Party ^[25]
• Wisconsin Working Families Party ^[59]

Brad Schimel

U.S. senators

• Ron Johnson, U.S. senator from Wisconsin (2011–present) (Republican) ^[60]

U.S. representatives

• Scott Fitzgerald, U.S. representative from Wisconsin's 5th district (2021–present) (Republican) ^[61]
• Glenn Grothman, U.S. representative from Wisconsin's 6th district (2015–present) (Republican) ^[61]
• Bryan Steil, U.S. representative from Wisconsin's 1st district (2019–present) (Republican) ^[61]
• Tom Tiffany, U.S. representative from Wisconsin's 7th district (2020–present) (Republican) ^[61]
• Derrick Van Orden, U.S. representative from Wisconsin's 3rd district (2023–present) (Republican) ^[61]
• Tony Wied, U.S. representative from Wisconsin's 8th district (2024–present) (Republican) ^[61]

Judicial officials

• Maria Lazar, Wisconsin Court of Appeals judge (2022–present) ^[15]

Individuals

• Elon Musk, Senior Advisor to the President (2025–present) ^[62]

Labor unions

• Milwaukee Police Association Local 21 ^[63]
• Milwaukee Professional Firefighters Association Local 215 ^[64]
• Waukesha County Police Chiefs Association ^[65]

Organizations

• Americans for Prosperity Wisconsin ^[66]
• National Rifle Association Political Victory Fund ^[67]
• Wisconsin Realtors Association ^[68]
• Wisconsin Young Republicans ^[69]

Political parties

• Wisconsin Republican Party ^[4]

Debate

2025 Wisconsin Supreme Court election debates

No.	Date	Host	Moderators	Link	Candidates
P Participant   A Absent   N Non-invitee   I Invitee W  Withdrawn
					Crawford	Schimel
1 [70]	March 12, 2025	WISN-TV	Matt Smith, Gerron Jordan	YouTube	P	P

Polling

Pollster	Date(s) administered	Sample size [e]	Margin of error	Susan Crawford	Brad Schimel	Undecided
OnMessage (R) [71] [A]	March 9–10, 2025	600 (LV)	± 4.0%	47%	47%	5%
RMG Research (R) [72] [B]	February 25–28, 2025	800 (RV)	± 3.5%	42%	35%	23% [f]
TIPP Insights (R) [73] [C]	February 7–11, 2025	1,045 (RV)	± 3.1%	38%	38%	24% [g]
		634 (LV)	± 4.0%	43%	45%	12%
RMG Research (R) [74] [D]	January 17–21, 2025	800 (RV)	± 3.5%	35%	40%	23%

Results

2025 Wisconsin Supreme Court election

Candidate		Votes	%
Susan Crawford
Brad Schimel
Write-in
Total votes			100.00

See also

• 2025 Wisconsin elections

Notes

1. Described by media outlets as liberal ^[9]
2. Described by media outlets as conservative ^[7]
3. Described by media outlets as conservative ^[12]
4. Described by media outlets as conservative ^[14]
5. Key:
   A – all adults
   RV – registered voters
   LV – likely voters
   V – unclear
6. "Will not vote" with 6%
7. "Unlikely to vote" with 3%

Partisan clients

1. Poll conducted for Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce
2. Poll sponsored by the Napolitan Institute
3. Poll sponsored by League of American Workers
4. Poll commissioned by the conservative Institute for Reforming Government.

References

1. "Justice Ann Walsh Bradley won't seek reelection in '25, when liberal majority will be on the line". WisPolitics.com . April 11, 2024. Retrieved April 11, 2024.
2. Smith, Matt (March 13, 2025). "Crawford, Schimel clash over Musk, Soros money in $59 million court race". WISN-TV . Retrieved March 15, 2025.
3. "Wisconsin Election Dates and Deadlines". U.S. Vote Foundation. Retrieved March 13, 2025.
4. "Candidates set for another high-profile Wisconsin Supreme Court race". Superior Telegram. January 8, 2025. Archived from the original on January 12, 2025. Retrieved January 12, 2025.
5. Kremer, Rich (January 9, 2025). "Crawford, Schimel both report 'historic' donations in state Supreme Court race". Wisconsin Public Radio . Retrieved January 12, 2025.
6. Opoien, Jessie (June 10, 2024). "Dane County judge Susan Crawford launches Wisconsin Supreme Court bid". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel . Retrieved June 10, 2024.
7. "Schimel launches '25 bid for state Supreme Court". Wispolitics.com . November 30, 2023. Retrieved November 30, 2023.
8. Johnson, Shawn (June 17, 2024). "All 4 liberal justices back Crawford's Wisconsin Supreme Court campaign". Wisconsin Public Radio . Retrieved June 20, 2024.
9. "THU PM Update: Three liberals looking at run for Supreme Court following Bradley retirement". Wispolitics.com . April 11, 2024. Retrieved April 12, 2024.
10. "FRI REPORT: Colón decides against state Supreme Court bid". Wispolitics.com. April 26, 2024. Retrieved April 29, 2024.
11. "Crawford campaign: More than 100 judges and court commissioners endorse Judge Susan Crawford for Wisconsin Supreme Court". Susan Crawford for Wisconsin Supreme Court (Press release). June 24, 2024. Retrieved June 26, 2024– via WisPolitics.
12. Epstein, Reid (March 15, 2023). "In Wisconsin, Liberals Barrage Conservative Court Candidate With Attack Ads". The New York Times . Retrieved April 12, 2024.
13. Nir, David (April 12, 2024). "Why progressives have to worry about a top-two lockout in Wisconsin's Supreme Court race". Daily Kos . Retrieved April 12, 2024. Former Supreme Court Justice Dan Kelly...informs WisPolitics he has 'absolutely no intention of running whatsoever.'
14. Bahl, Andrew (April 11, 2024). "Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Ann Walsh Bradley won't run again". The Capital Times . Retrieved April 12, 2024.
15. Nir, David; Singer, Jeff. "Morning Digest: Democratic heavyweight steps up to challenge Nevada's GOP governor". The Downballot. Retrieved December 13, 2024. Court of Appeals Judge Maria Lazar, a conservative who had been considering a bid for an open seat on the Wisconsin Supreme Court, announced this week that she would not run and was instead endorsing...Brad Schimel.
16. Jones, Kyle (April 18, 2024). "Judge Chris Taylor opts not to run to replace outgoing Justice Walsh Bradley". WISC-TV . Retrieved April 18, 2024.
17. "Eric Holder Endorses Judge Susan Crawford for Wisconsin Supreme Court". NDRC (Press release). January 27, 2025. Retrieved February 10, 2025.
18. "Crawford campaign: U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin endorses Judge Susan Crawford for Wisconsin Supreme Court". Susan Crawford for Wisconsin Supreme Court (Press release). Retrieved January 17, 2025– via WisPolitics.
19. "Crawford campaign: Former Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Louis Butler endorsement". Susan Crawford for Wisconsin Supreme Court (Press release). Retrieved July 3, 2024– via WisPolitics.
20. Benesch, Linda (March 10, 2025). "Social Security Works PAC Endorses Susan Crawford". Social Security Works PAC (Press release). Retrieved March 13, 2025.
21. Williams, Brad (February 11, 2025). "Former police officer from D.C. endorses Crawford for Supreme Court during stop in La Crosse". WIZM . Retrieved February 12, 2025.
22. "New DNC chair Ken Martin visits Wisconsin, calls Supreme Court, DPI races first big test". February 22, 2025 – via Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
23. Swenson, Ali; Bauer, Scott. "Two billionaires that are villains of the left and right take the spotlight in a key Wisconsin race". Associated Press (AP News). Retrieved March 16, 2025.
24. "Reproductive Freedom for All Endorses Susan Crawford for Wisconsin State Supreme Court". Reproductive Freedom for All (Press release). February 7, 2025. Retrieved February 10, 2025.
25. "WisDems: Endorses Judge Susan Crawford for Wisconsin Supreme Court". Wisconsin Democratic Party (Press release). November 20, 2024. Retrieved November 26, 2024– via WisPolitics.
26. "With the election for Wisconsin's State Supreme Court approaching (April 1st, 2025), the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 998 is hereby endorsing Judge Susan Crawford for the next Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice". Facebook. February 12, 2025. Retrieved February 10, 2025.
27. "AFSCME Endorses Judge Susan Crawford for WI Supreme Court". AFSCME Wisconsin. Retrieved February 25, 2025.
28. "Spring 2025 Elections" (Press release). January 17, 2025. Retrieved February 10, 2025– via AFT-Wisconsin.
29. "National Phone Bank on March 20th". CWA 1150. March 6, 2025. Retrieved March 9, 2025.
30. "Wisconsin voters, your voice matters!". Facebook. March 13, 2025. Retrieved March 13, 2025.
31. "Local 494 proudly endorses Susan Crawford for Wisconsin, for Wisconsin Supreme Court". Facebook. March 3, 2025. Retrieved March 6, 2025.
32. "Crawford campaign: IBEW Wisconsin State Conference endorses Judge Susan Crawford for Wisconsin Supreme Court". January 16, 2025. Retrieved February 7, 2025– via WisPolitics.
33. "Our Supreme Court needs Susan Crawford so she can hold greedy billionaires like Elon Musk accountable". Instagram. March 7, 2025. Retrieved March 13, 2025.
34. "2025 Spring Election". madisonteachers.org. Retrieved February 12, 2025.
35. "Crawford campaign: North Central States Regional Council of Carpenters endorses Judge Susan Crawford for Wisconsin Supreme Court". February 10, 2025. Retrieved February 11, 2025– via WisPolitics.
36. "Today, we proudly endorse Susan Crawford for the upcoming State Supreme Court election this spring". Facebook. February 5, 2025. Retrieved February 10, 2025.
37. "UAW Region 4 State CAP voted to endorse Susan Crawford in the April 1st election". Facebook. February 8, 2025. Retrieved February 10, 2025.
38. "Crawford campaign: Wisconsin AFL-CIO endorses Judge Susan Crawford for Wisconsin Supreme Court". January 31, 2025. Retrieved February 3, 2025– via WisPolitics.
39. "News Release: WEAC Recommends Judge Susan Crawford for Supreme Court". WEAC (Press release). November 27, 2024. Retrieved February 7, 2025.
40. "Crawford campaign: Endorsed by Wisconsin Laborers District Council" (Press release). November 26, 2024. Retrieved February 10, 2025– via WisPolitics.
41. "Endorsements for the April Wisconsin Election". The Shepherd Express . February 27, 2025. Retrieved February 27, 2025.
42. "350 Wisconsin Action: Endorses Susan Crawford for Wisconsin Supreme Court". 350 Wisconsin Action (Press release). Retrieved February 20, 2025– via WisPolitics.
43. "Citizen Action has endorsed Susan Crawford for Wisconsin in the pivotal election for control of the Wisconsin Supreme Court". Instagram. January 21, 2025. Retrieved February 10, 2025.
44. "Endorse Judge Susan Crawford for Wisconsin Supreme Court". Young Democrats, College Democrats, and High School Democrats of Wisconsin (Press release). Retrieved February 24, 2025– via WisPolitics.
45. "EMILYs List Endorses Judge Susan Crawford for Wisconsin State Supreme Court". EMILYs List (Press release). January 9, 2025. Retrieved February 7, 2025.
46. "FFRF AF endorses Judge Susan Crawford for Wisconsin Supreme Court justice". FFRF Action Fund (Press release). Retrieved March 13, 2025.
47. "HRC has endorsed Judge Susan Crawford for the Wisconsin Supreme Court!". Instagram. February 20, 2025. Retrieved March 14, 2025.
48. "Indivisible Endorses Susan Crawford in Wisconsin Supreme Court Race". Indivisible (Press release). January 4, 2025. Retrieved February 10, 2025.
49. Soifer, Halie (February 26, 2025). "First Endorsement of 2025". Jewish Democratic Council of America. Retrieved February 27, 2025.
50. "Elon Musk is trying to buy the Wisconsin Supreme Court. He's already poured millions of dollars into the race, and he'll stop at nothing to get favorable rulings on his extreme agenda. Not on our watch!". Facebook. March 4, 2025. Retrieved March 6, 2025.
51. "The Wisconsin Social Workers Political Action Committee endorses Judge Susan Crawford to serve as a Justice on the Wisconsin Supreme Court". Facebook. February 9, 2025. Retrieved February 11, 2025.
52. "With the future of Wisconsin on the line, we must be as informed as possible". Facebook. March 12, 2025. Retrieved March 13, 2025.
53. "Planned Parenthood Advocates of Wisconsin: Endorses Judge Susan Crawford" (Press release). February 3, 2025. Retrieved February 7, 2025– via WisPolitics.
54. "The Sierra Club has endorsed Judge Susan Crawford for election to the Wisconsin Supreme Court". Sierra Club (Press release). Retrieved March 14, 2025.
55. "We are writing postcards to voters for the April 1 WI Supreme Court election!". Instagram. February 16, 2025. Retrieved March 3, 2025.
56. Swing Left [@swingleft] (February 24, 2025). "Want to fight back against Elon Musk? Help us block his attempt to buy the Wisconsin Supreme Court by knocking doors, making calls into the state, or volunteering to support @crawfordforwi!" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
57. "Susan Crawford for WI Supreme Court April 1st". Third Act (Press release). February 11, 2025. Retrieved February 12, 2025.
58. "The 2025 Spring Election". Wisconsin Conservation Voters (Press release). January 30, 2025. Retrieved February 11, 2025.
59. "Bay View Community Canvass for Judge Susan Crawford: Hosted by Wisconsin Working Families Party".
60. Sen. Ron Johnson talks about US Senate candidate Hovde. WHSV-TV . July 16, 2024. Retrieved October 22, 2024.
61. Gunn, Erik (January 28, 2025). "GOP members of Congress line up behind Schimel in high court race". Wisconsin Examiner . Retrieved January 28, 2025.
62. Karnopp, Hope (February 9, 2025). "Supreme Court candidate Brad Schimel welcomes a hypothetical endorsement from Donald Trump". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel . Retrieved February 10, 2025.
63. "Schimel campaign: Judge Brad Schimel earns endorsement of the Milwaukee Police Association". Brad Schimel for Wisconsin Supreme Court (Press release). April 17, 2024. Retrieved April 17, 2024– via WisPolitics.
64. Kleiber, Anna (April 24, 2024). "Schimel campaign: Earns endorsement of the Milwaukee Professional Firefighters Association" . Retrieved January 26, 2025– via WisPolitics.
65. "Schimel campaign: Law enforcement's choice for the Wisconsin Supreme Court". January 21, 2025. Retrieved January 26, 2025– via WisPolitics.
66. "Schimel campaign: Americans for Prosperity Wisconsin endorses Judge Brad Schimel". Brad Schimel for Wisconsin Supreme Court (Press release). November 13, 2024. Retrieved November 26, 2024– via WisPolitics.
67. "National Rifle Association Political Victory Fund: Endorses Brad Schimel for election to the Wisconsin Supreme Court". Brad Schimel for Wisconsin Supreme Court (Press release). February 13, 2025. Retrieved February 14, 2025– via WisPolitics.
68. "Wisconsin REALTORS® Association endorses Judge Brad Schimel". Schimel campaign (Press release). February 25, 2025. Retrieved February 25, 2025– via WisPolitics.
69. "WIYR Endorsed Candidates For April 1st (2025) General Election". Wisconsin Young Republicans. February 14, 2025. Retrieved February 10, 2025.
70. "WISN Wisconsin Supreme Court debate at Lubar Center, March 12". Marquette Today. February 18, 2025. Retrieved February 18, 2025.
71. Nupson, Kristen (March 12, 2025). "New WMC Poll Finds Tie between Schimel, Crawford". WMC.
72. "Wisconsin Election Update: Supreme Court and Superintendent of Public Instruction Races". Napolitan News Service. March 5, 2025.
73. Cortes, Steve (February 18, 2025). "POLL: Heartland Voters Embrace Trump's Early Actions". American Greatness. Retrieved February 18, 2025.
74. Ross, JR (January 30, 2025). "IRG poll finds slight edge for Schimel in Supreme Court race, though many voters undecided". WisPolitics . Retrieved January 31, 2025.

External links

Official campaign websites

• Susan Crawford for Supreme Court
• Brad Schimel for Supreme Court