Conservative Justice Rebecca Bradley Will Not Seek Re-election, Opening Wisconsin Supreme Court Seat
Conservative Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Rebecca Bradley will not seek re-election in 2026, opening a key seat. This decision follows recent liberal victories, ensuring their court majority until 2028.
Overview
- Conservative Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Rebecca Bradley announced she will not seek re-election when her current term concludes in 2026, creating an open seat on the court.
- Her decision follows significant double-digit losses for conservative candidates in recent state elections, contributing to a shift in the court's ideological balance.
- Liberals recently gained a 4-3 majority on the Wisconsin Supreme Court, ending 15 years of conservative control, and will maintain this majority until at least 2028.
- Justice Bradley cited the court's increasing partisanship and personal attacks as reasons for her decision not to pursue another term.
- The open seat is crucial as the court will likely address high-profile issues like abortion and collective bargaining rights, with Chris Taylor as the sole announced candidate.
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Analysis
Center-leaning sources cover this story neutrally, focusing on factual reporting and providing balanced context. They present Justice Bradley's decision, the political implications for the court, and statements from both conservative and liberal perspectives. The coverage emphasizes factual shifts in court control and upcoming key issues without using loaded language or favoring a particular narrative.
"Bradley's retirement could provide liberals with an opportunity to expand their 4-3 majority on the Wisconsin Supreme Court after winning a pair of hard-fought elections in recent years that have drawn national attention."
NBC News"Justice Rebecca Bradley’s decision not to run for a second full term comes after conservative candidates for the highest court in the battleground state have lost each of the past two elections by double-digit margins."
ABC NewsArticles (3)
FAQ
Justice Rebecca Bradley cited increasing partisanship on the Wisconsin Supreme Court and personal attacks as reasons for her decision not to pursue another term.
Liberals recently gained a 4-3 majority on the Wisconsin Supreme Court, ending 15 years of conservative control, and this majority will remain until at least 2028.
The court is likely to address high-profile issues such as abortion and collective bargaining rights.
Chris Taylor is the sole announced candidate for the open Supreme Court seat.
Justice Rebecca Bradley served as a Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge from 2012, then as a District I Court of Appeals judge from 2015 before being appointed to the Supreme Court in 2015 and elected in 2016. Prior to her judicial career, she worked as an attorney in private practice and a corporate legal executive.
History
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