The entrance of the Wisconsin Supreme Court courtroom is visible inside the Wisconsin State Capitol on Dec. 26, 2023, in Madison, Wisconsin.Jon Elswick/AP
The prior spring, the contest for a seat on Wisconsin’s highest court was eclipsed by immense external contributions, legions of canvassers spread throughout the state, a questionable million-dollar giveaway, and the world’s wealthiest individual sporting a cheesehead.
However, the Democrats prevailed, and certain Republican insiders faulted Elon Musk for bringing nationwide attention to the contest, thus becoming the focal point as his aggressive Department of Government Efficiency dominated the news cycle and alienated voters.
"I absolutely don’t believe Elon Musk was beneficial to Brad Schimel," stated Mark Graul, a Republican strategist, in reference to the conservative candidate of 2025.
Appeals Court Judge Maria Lazar, who is campaigning for a seat on the Wisconsin State Supreme Court, poses for a photo on Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2026, in Madison, Wisconsin.Owen Ziliak/Wisconsin State Journal via AP
One year later, another election for the Supreme Court is unfolding with comparable significance, though lacking the public drama.
Given the pending retirement of a conservative justice, liberals have the opportunity to expand their current 4-3 advantage to 5-2 later this year. Democrats are aiming to gain traction leading up to what is predicted to be a highly contested midterm election year in this pivotal state, with objectives that include securing an unoccupied gubernatorial office and possibly overturning the Republican majority in the legislature.
Survey results and formal funding totals hint at stronger engagement among Democratic voters, yet some Republicans are hoping the lower-key environment of the election might improve their odds.
"Since so little focus is being given to the race in terms of public awareness, I think the election’s outcome will be considerably less certain than the previous two," Graul suggested.
Nathan Conrad, campaign advisor to Judge Maria Lazar, who is aligned with conservative principles, remarked that the election marks "a return to the typical Supreme Court races within Wisconsin, where there’s a real focus on the issues, along with an effort to emphasize the notion that justice needs to be dispensed fairly."
The individual chosen this year to serve as a justice will be inaugurated before the midterms in November. After liberals regained a majority in 2023 and then won again in 2025 by a 10-point margin, the court eliminated Wisconsin’s almost absolute ban on abortions and mandated a revision of legislative maps put together by Republicans.
What Is at Issue
In a closely divided state with separate parties in control, the state’s high court could be the deciding vote on a wide spectrum of matters, including financing for schools, rights to collective bargaining and the legality of abortion.
While the April 7 vote is ostensibly nonpartisan, recent elections have taken on the characteristics of partisan politics. Judge Chris Taylor, whose views align with those of liberals, is competing against Lazar for a 10-year term on the court.
Chris Taylor, who is seeking a position on the Wisconsin State Supreme Court, is seen on Friday, Feb. 20, 2026, in Madison, Wisconsin. John Hart/Wisconsin State Journal via AP
"If Judge Taylor is elected, that would ensure that the court would have a liberal majority for a considerable time to come," Graul said. "This would lead to substantial consequences for rulings impacting a variety of subjects, ranging from redistricting to the employment law changes enacted by [Republican] Gov. [Scott] Walker."
Ashley Franz, Taylor’s campaign manager, indicated that while the race may not be receiving the same level of funds and nationwide attention, "the people of Wisconsin are conscious of the fact that what is at stake is incredibly critical. This election allows for an expansion of the court’s majority so they can keep fighting to defend liberties, instead of taking them away."
"Maria Lazar is a right-wing politician who has abused her judicial office to benefit special interests and promote her own agenda. The voters have opposed this type of radicalism before, and they will again next week," she stated.
Wisconsin hosts some of the most closely decided elections anywhere in the United States. In 2024, Trump carried the state by around 1%.
Trump Has Chosen To Stay Out of This Contest So Far
In addition, gaining Trump’s endorsement does not ensure success. Endorsed candidates lost races in both 2025 and 2023.
To date, the president has not stated his preference — and Jerry Helmer, who chairs the GOP within Sauk County, advised ABC News that may be the best thing to do.
"Because Wisconsin is politically so mixed, that kind of intervention can sometimes be more harmful than helpful," Helmer mentioned. "It would encourage more Democratic voters to show up and vote for the Democrat on the ballot."
Financial disclosures from recent campaign filings confirm that Taylor has raised considerably more funds than Lazar.
The Wisconsin Supreme Court entrance seen at the Wisconsin State Capitol on Dec. 26, 2023, in Madison, Wisconsin.Jon Elswick/AP
The contest to fill a seat on Wisconsin’s Supreme Court in 2025 drew funds from all over the country, with total expenditures topping $100 million, according to the Brennan Center for Justice.
"Musk’s intense focus, both due to who he is, and in addition … as a result of his involvement within the Trump government, triggered a large response the previous year," according to Charles Franklin, who manages the Marquette Law School Poll.
No response was received from Musk’s America PAC after being asked to comment.
The Marquette Law School poll released in March demonstrated that 12% of voting-eligible citizens mentioned that they were "very aware" of the 2026 Supreme Court election, which is a rise from 6% in February, while in February 2025, the same measurement was 39%. Latest survey numbers show Taylor ahead with registered voters, although 53% reported that they remain undecided.
The polls likewise indicated that registered Democrats are more invested in voting, with engagement at 51%, which contrasts with 32% and 19% among Republicans and voters who are not affiliated with a political party, respectively.
"I have no idea what will happen"
Jon Sutton, who chairs the Democratic party in Crawford County, shares the assessment that there is less public interest in this year’s election, and it is unclear whether that will help or hurt his group’s chances.
Elon Musk walks out on stage wearing a cheesehead hat during a town hall in Green Bay, Wisconsin, on Sunday, March 30, 2025.Jeffrey Phelps/AP
Sutton theorized that Musk’s deep involvement in 2025 most likely motivated "some of the Republicans who might have been unaware of [the election] to be more motivated to vote."
Conversely, lower levels of concern associated with this year’s race could translate into lower turnout among Democrats. "Right now, it’s not possible to know for sure — I just have no way of predicting what’s going to happen," Sutton acknowledged.
Stephanie Soucek, who chairs the GOP in Door County, commented that the campaign this year is "less intense and less publicized,” but Republicans are nonetheless aiming to ramp up engagement by sending personalized postcards and text messages to the voting population.
Diminished effects attributable to national political influencers could "level the playing field a little," Soucek stated.
Jared Kofsky from ABC News was a contributor to this report.
Sourse: abcnews.go.com