Conservative Wisconsin justice may not seek re-election in 'major hit' to GOP

Wisconsin Republicans may be about to receive another devastating setback to their hopes of regaining a conservative majority on the state Supreme Court.

According to Milwaukee-based conservative radio host Mark Belling, "Incumbent Justice Rebecca Bradley, a nationally influential conservative jurist, is not likely to run for another ten-year term on the court in April of next year. Sources close to Bradley say she has been discussing her options on a run with close advisers and political strategists. Those familiar with Bradley’s thinking say she has not made a final decision but that it is unlikely that she will run."

Bradley, one of the most right-wing members of the court, is not tipping her hand on reasoning; however, per the sources, she "is aware that leftist candidates have won every Supreme Court election in Wisconsin since 2019."

In past elections, Bradley, who has been known for blistering dissents from liberal state court opinions, "squeaked by with the advantage of incumbency, having been appointed to the bench before the election by then-Governor Scott Walker. Indeed, prior to this decade conservatives won most Supreme Court elections by painting the liberal candidates as soft on crime."

However, Belling wrote, Democrats have paid more attention and pumped more money into these races since President Donald Trump was elected, finally flipping control of the court in 2023 with the election of Justice Janet Protasiewicz and holding their majority earlier this year with the election of Justice Susan Crawford against former GOP Attorney General Brad Schimel. Bradley took particular umbrage over the latter result, calling the events of the race "disgusting."

Since gaining a liberal majority, the court has issued rulings against GOP gerrymandering, and experts consider it likely they will also strike down the state's abortion ban this month.