On Tuesday, the biggest political story in the country was clear: former President Donald Trump's indictment on 34 counts of business fraud. But on the same day, Wisconsites elected Milwaukee County Judge Janet Protasiewicz as the newest justice on the state Supreme Court. Protasiewicz, a liberal, defeated conservative Dan Kelly, a former state Supreme Court justice, by 11 points. The results could have major ramifications for policy in the state going forward, but it's worth wondering whether that's a good thing.
The Wisconsin Supreme Court has seven justices who serve 10-year terms, elected by statewide vote on a nonpartisan ticket. Conservative justices currently outnumber liberals on the court 4–3 and have held a majority in some form for 15 years. But when conservative Justice Patience Roggensack announced in December 2021 that she would not seek reelection, both progressives and conservatives poured money into the race to replace her. Total spending on the race topped $45 million ahead of election day. CBS News called the race "the most expensive election of its kind ever."
