Democrat Chris Taylor Projected Winner of Wisconsin Supreme Court Race, Giving Liberals a 5-2 Majority Through 2030

Democrat Chris Taylor Wins Wisconsin Supreme Court Seat, Expanding Liberal Majority

MADISON, Wis. — NBC News projected Democratic-leaning appeals court Judge Chris Taylor as the winner of the Wisconsin Supreme Court race earlier than expected Tuesday night, flipping the seat held by retiring Republican Justice Rebecca Bradley and cementing a 5-2 liberal supermajority on the state's highest court that will remain in place until at least 2030.

Taylor, a former Democratic state legislator and former policy director for Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin, defeated conservative appeals court Judge Maria Lazar by more than 20 percentage points — a margin that stunned even some Democratic strategists who expected a closer contest.

A Historic Swing in a Key Battleground State

Taylor's victory marks the fourth consecutive Wisconsin Supreme Court win for liberal-backed candidates and represents a 10-point swing toward the Democratic side compared to the 2025 court race — and a 21-point swing from the 2024 presidential contest in Wisconsin.

With the win, Democrats now hold a 5-2 edge on the court, making it virtually impossible for conservatives to reclaim a majority before 2030.

"This is a resounding victory — not just for our campaign, but for the people of Wisconsin who believe in fairness, justice, and the protection of rights for all," Taylor told cheering supporters at her Madison election night party.

What the Win Means

The expanded liberal majority has already reshaped Wisconsin's legal and political landscape in profound ways:

• Redistricting: The court previously overturned Republican-drawn legislative maps, paving the way for new district lines that went into effect in 2024.
• Abortion rights: Last year, the court struck down Wisconsin's 1849 near-total abortion ban in a 4-3 ruling.
• Collective bargaining: Democrats are eyeing court action that could roll back restrictions on public worker unions.
• Congressional maps: Lawsuits targeting Wisconsin's Republican-dominated congressional map may now come before the newly strengthened liberal court.

Taylor's Background and Campaign

Taylor, who served in the Wisconsin State Assembly for over a decade and focused on reproductive rights, healthcare, and worker protections, ran a campaign centered on abortion access, voting rights, and checks on executive power.

She held a massive fundraising advantage over Lazar throughout the campaign. This year's race drew approximately $6.5 million in total advertising spending — a fraction of the record-breaking $85 million spent in the 2025 cycle.

Looking Ahead

Liberal candidates will have another opportunity to extend their Wisconsin Supreme Court majority in 2027, with conservative Justice Annette Ziegler declining to seek a third term. Three additional justices face re-election between 2028 and 2030.

For Wisconsin Democrats, Tuesday night's decisive victory is a powerful signal heading into the 2026 midterm elections, where the party hopes to flip at least one chamber of the state legislature for the first time in 16 years.

NBC News projected Chris Taylor the winner of the Wisconsin Supreme Court race on the night of April 7, 2026.