Wisconsin Supreme Court elections, (February 21, 2023 primary)
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Janet Protasiewicz and Daniel Kelly advanced from the nonpartisan primary for Wisconsin Supreme Court on February 21, 2023, defeating Jennifer Dorow and Everett Mitchell. The nonpartisan general election was held on April 4, 2023. This page covers the primary election. For coverage of the general election, click here.
Justice Patience Roggensack's term expired on July 31, 2023. Roggensack did not run for re-election.[1]
While supreme court elections are officially nonpartisan, the court was considered to have a 4-3 conservative majorityheading into the election.[2][3][4][5] With Roggensack—a member of the court's conservative majority—retiring, the general election determined the ideological control of the court. According to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel's Corrinne Hess, "[Protasiewicz and Mitchell ran] as liberal candidates. Kelly and Dorow [ran] as conservative candidates."[6]
Wisconsin reporters and political commentators identified abortion policy, election administration, and legislative redistricting as some of the legal issues the court could address following the election.[5][7][8][9][10][11] The Wisconsin State Journal's Alexander Shur wrote in January 2023, "With the court’s ideological balance up for grabs, the candidate elected in April will play a decisive role in upcoming cases that may include the legality of Wisconsin’s near-complete 1849 abortion ban, fights over legislative redistricting and the power of the executive branch in administering laws."[12] As of 2023, Wisconsin had a divided government where neither party held a trifecta. The governor was Democrat Tony Evers, while the Republican Party controlled both chambers of the state legislature.
Protasiewicz was first elected to the Milwaukee County Circuit Court in 2014. Protasiewicz said, "We must restore confidence that judges aren’t just trying to reach their favored outcomes, but actually applying the law and the constitution. I’m running to restore integrity to the Wisconsin Supreme Court, and get politics out of the courtroom."[13] Justice Rebecca Dallet endorsed Protasiewicz in May 2022, and Justice Ann Walsh Bradley endorsed Protasiewicz in February 2023.[14][15]
Kelly previously served on the supreme court from 2016—when Gov. Scott Walker (R) appointed him to fill a vacancy—to 2020. Kelly said, "If an activist were to win next April, Wisconsin's public policy would be imposed by four lawyers sitting in Madison instead of being adopted through our constitutional processes. I won’t let that happen on my watch."[16] Justice Rebecca Bradley endorsed Kelly in November 2022.[17]
Dorow joined the Waukesha County Circuit Court in 2012 after being appointed by Walker. Dorow said, "We must replace Justice Roggensack with a judicial conservative who will fairly and faithfully apply the law as written to the facts of the cases that come before the court."[18] Roggensack endorsed Dorow in January 2023.[19]
Mitchell, who was first elected to the Dane County Circuit Court in 2016, said, "[P]reserving the integrity and independence of the court has never been more important. ... Wisconsinites deserve a justice who has the highest respect for the Wisconsin Constitution and is committed to ensuring that the Wisconsin Supreme Court is an instrument of balance and justice rather than partisan divide."[20] Former Justice Louis Butler endorsed Mitchell in June 2022.[21]
University of Wisconsin-LaCrosse political analyst Anthony Chergosky said in November 2022 that the entrance of a fourth candidate "injected [the race] with a lot of unpredictability," noting the possibility of two conservative or two liberal candidates advancing to the general election.[22] WKOW TV Capitol Bureau Chief A.J. Bayatpour and Cap Times Capitol Bureau Chief Jessie Opoien each said in January 2023 that they did not think it was likely that two conservative or two liberal candidates would advance.[10]
Heading into the 2020 election, the court had a 5-2 conservative majority. In that election, liberal Jill Karofsky defeated Kelly 55.2% to 44.7%. Click here for more information about past supreme court elections.
Wisconsin was one of two states that held elections for state supreme court in 2023. To view Ballotpedia's study of the partisan affiliation of state supreme court justices, click here. For an overview of state supreme court elections in 2023, click here.
Election news
This section includes a timeline of events leading up to the election.
Candidates and election results
General election
General election for Wisconsin Supreme Court
Janet Claire Protasiewicz defeated Daniel Kelly in the general election for Wisconsin Supreme Court on April 4, 2023.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
✔ | Janet Claire Protasiewicz (Nonpartisan) | 55.4 | 1,021,822 | |
Daniel Kelly (Nonpartisan) | 44.4 | 818,391 | ||
Other/Write-in votes | 0.2 | 3,267 |
Total votes: 1,843,480 | ||||
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
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Nonpartisan primary election
Nonpartisan primary for Wisconsin Supreme Court
Janet Claire Protasiewicz and Daniel Kelly defeated Jennifer Dorow and Everett Mitchell in the primary for Wisconsin Supreme Court on February 21, 2023.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
✔ | Janet Claire Protasiewicz (Nonpartisan) | 46.4 | 446,403 | |
✔ | Daniel Kelly (Nonpartisan) | 24.2 | 232,751 | |
Jennifer Dorow (Nonpartisan) | 21.9 | 210,100 | ||
Everett Mitchell (Nonpartisan) | 7.5 | 71,895 |
Total votes: 961,149 | ||||
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. |
Voting information
- See also: Voting in Wisconsin
Candidate comparison
Candidate profiles
This section includes candidate profiles created in one of two ways: either the candidate completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey, or Ballotpedia staff compiled a profile based on campaign websites, advertisements, and public statements after identifying the candidate as noteworthy. For more on how we select candidates to include, click here.
Incumbent: No
Political Office:
- Waukesha County Circuit Court Branch 2 (Assumed office: 2012)
Biography: Dorow received a bachelor's degree in broadcast communication from Marquette University in 1992 and a J.D. from Regent University School of Law in 1996. Dorow previously worked as a Waukesha County assistant district attorney and as a private practice attorney at Huppertz & Dorow, S.C.
Show sources
Sources: Spectrum News 1, "Wisconsin's race for state Supreme Court heats up as the field of candidates grows," November 30, 2022; Jennifer Dorow 2023 campaign website, "Why I am Running," accessed December 15, 2022; Facebook, "Judge Jennifer Dorow For Supreme Court on December 5, 2022," accessed December 15, 2022; Martindale, "Judge Profile: Hon. Jennifer R. Dorow," accessed December 8, 2022; Wisconsin Law Journal, "Dorow puts family first in courtroom and out," June 25, 2013; Wisconsin Court System, "Supreme Court appoints new chief judges from Waukesha, Winnebago counties," May 19, 2017; Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "What to know about Jennifer Dorow, the judge in the Darrell Brooks Waukesha Christmas Parade attack trial," updated November 29, 2022
This information was current as of the candidate's run for Wisconsin Supreme Court in 2023.
Incumbent: No
Political Office:
- Wisconsin Supreme Court (2016-2020)
Biography: Kelly received a bachelor's degree in political science and Spanish from Carroll University in 1986 and a J.D. from Regent University School of Law in 1991. Kelly previously worked as a shareholder at Reinhart Boerner Van Deuren, vice president and general counsel for the Kern Family Foundation, and a founding partner at Rogahn Kelly LLC. In 2020, he founded Daniel Kelly Consulting and became a senior fellow at the Institute for Reforming Government.
Show sources
Sources: WisPolitics, "Kelly campaign: Daniel Kelly launches his campaign to serve on the Wisconsin Supreme Court," September 8, 2022; Daniel Kelly 2023 campaign website, "Meet Daniel," accessed December 15, 2022; YouTube, "WISN 12 News: Crowded race for Wisconsin's highest court," November 30, 2022; Twitter, "Justice Daniel Kelly," February 27, 2023; LinkedIn, "Daniel Kelly," accessed December 15, 2022; State Bar of Wisconsin, "Gov. Walker Picks Dan Kelly to Replace Justice Prosser on Supreme Court," July 25, 2016
This information was current as of the candidate's run for Wisconsin Supreme Court in 2023.
Incumbent: No
Political Office:
- Dane County Circuit Court Branch 4 (Assumed office: 2016)
Biography: Mitchell received a bachelor's degree in mathematics and religious studies from Morehouse College in 2000, master's degrees from Princeton Theological Seminary in 2003 and 2004, and a J.D. from the University of Wisconsin-Madison Law School in 2010. Mitchell previously worked as a Dane County assistant district attorney and as the director of community relations at UW-Madison. As of 2022, Mitchell was an adjunct professor at the UW-Madison Law School and had been a pastor since 2011.
Show sources
Sources: WisPolitics, "Mitchell campaign: Dane County Judge Everett Mitchell announces candidacy for Wisconsin Supreme Court," June 1, 2022; YouTube, "WISN 12 News: Crowded race for Wisconsin's highest court," November 30, 2022; WisPolitics, "Mitchell campaign: Statement on Judge Dorow entrance to WI Supreme Court race," November 29, 2022; Everett Mitchell 2023 campaign website, "About Judge Mitchell," accessed December 15, 2022; LinkedIn, "Honorable Everett Mitchell," accessed December 15, 2022
This information was current as of the candidate's run for Wisconsin Supreme Court in 2023.
Incumbent: No
Political Office:
- Milwaukee County Circuit Court, Branch 24 (Assumed office: 2014)
Biography: Protasiewicz received a bachelor's degree in history from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in 1985 and a J.D. from Marquette University Law School in 1988. Protasiewicz was a Milwaukee County assistant district attorney for 26 years. She also served as an adjunct law professor at Marquette Law School.
Show sources
Sources: WisPolitics, "Protasiewicz Campaign: Judge Janet Protasiewicz announces campaign for state Supreme Court," May 25, 2022; Wisconsin Public Radio, "Wisconsin's next partisan battle will be over the balance of power on its Supreme Court," December 1, 2022; Janet Protasiewicz 2023 campaign website, "Why I’m running," accessed December 15, 2022; Twitter, ''Judge Janet Protasiewicz,'' March 3, 2023; University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee: The College of Letters & Science, "The view from the bench: History alum lays down law," March 20, 2017; Janet Protasiewicz 2023 campaign website, "Meet Janet," accessed December 15, 2022
This information was current as of the candidate's run for Wisconsin Supreme Court in 2023.
Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey responses
Ballotpedia asks all federal, state, and local candidates to complete a survey and share what motivates them on political and personal levels. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
No candidate in this race has completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey. Ballotpedia is seeking 100 percent participation so voters can learn more about all the candidates on their ballots.
Campaign advertisements
This section includes a selection of up to three campaign advertisements per candidate released in this race, as well as links to candidates' YouTube, Vimeo, and/or Facebook video pages. If you are aware of other links that should be included, please email us.
Jennifer Dorow
February 2, 2023 |
View more ads here:
Daniel Kelly
Ballotpedia did not come across any campaign ads for Daniel Kelly while conducting research on this election. If you are aware of any ads that should be included, please email us.
Everett Mitchell
View more ads here:
Janet Protasiewicz
February 10, 2023 |
January 26, 2023 |
January 26, 2023 |
View more ads here:
Satellite ads
This section includes a selection of campaign advertisements released by satellite groups. If you are aware of other satellite ads that should be included, please email us.
Debates and forums
This section includes links to debates, forums, and other similar events where multiple candidates in this race participated. If you are aware of any debates or forums that should be included, please email us.
January 9 forum
On January 9, 2023, Dorow, Kelly, Mitchell, and Protasiewicz participated in a forum hosted by WisPolitics. The State Bar of Wisconsin and the Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty sponsored the forum.[33]
Click on the links below for summaries of the event:
- AP News
- The Capital Times
- Channel 3000
- Fox6 News Milwaukee
- Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
- PBS Wisconsin
- Spectrum News 1
- State Bar of Wisconsin
- TMJ4 News
- Wisconsin Examiner
- Wisconsin Public Radio
- Wisconsin State Journal
- WISN 12 News
- WisPolitics
- WUWM
Noteworthy endorsements
This section lists noteworthy endorsements issued in this election, including those made by high-profile individuals and organizations, cross-party endorsements, and endorsements made by newspaper editorial boards. It also includes a bulleted list of links to official lists of endorsements for any candidates who published that information on their campaign websites. Please note that this list is not exhaustive. If you are aware of endorsements that should be included, please click here.
Election competitiveness
Polls
- See also: Ballotpedia's approach to covering polls
We provide results for polls that are included in polling aggregation from FiveThirtyEight and RealClearPolitics, when available. No polls were available for this election. To notify us of polls published in this election, please email us.
Election spending
Campaign finance
This section contains campaign finance figures from reports submitted to the Wisconsin Ethics Commission in this election. It does not include information on spending by satellite groups. Click here to access the reports.
Satellite spending
- See also: Satellite spending
Satellite spending describes political spending not controlled by candidates or their campaigns; that is, any political expenditures made by groups or individuals that are not directly affiliated with a candidate. This includes spending by political party committees, super PACs, trade associations, and 501(c)(4) nonprofit groups.[35][36]
If available, satellite spending reports by the Federal Election Commission (FEC) and OpenSecrets.org are linked below. FEC links include totals from monthly, quarterly, and semi-annual reports. OpenSecrets.org compiles data from those reports as well as 24- and 48-hour reports from the FEC.[37]
Details about satellite spending of significant amounts and/or reported by media are included below those links. The amounts listed may not represent the total satellite spending in the election. To notify us of additional satellite spending, email us.
Click here to search independent expenditures reported to the Wisconsin Ethics Commission.
Spending news
- On February 14, 2023, Women Speak Out PAC, an affiliate of Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America, announced it would spend six figures on mailers, phone calls, and text messages supporting Kelly.[23]
- On February 10, 2023, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported that Conservative Action for America was spending $246,000 on ads supporting Dorow, and Protect our Families was spending $195,000 on ads opposing Dorow.[25]
- On February 8, 2023, WisPolitics reported that the Wisconsin Alliance for Reform and the Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce Issues Mobilization Council were together spending $770,000 to run an ad opposing Protasiewicz in Milwaukee and Green Bay.[26]
- On February 3, 2023, A Better Wisconsin Together, an affiliate of the group ProgressNow, reported that the group was spending $829,000 on ads opposing Dorow.[27] As of February 21, the group's spending had increased to almost $2.2 million.[28]
- On February 2, 2023, Fair Courts America announced that it would begin airing a 30-second television ad supporting Kelly on February 3, spending at least $500,000.[29] As of February 21, the group's spending had increased to almost $2.4 million.[28]
- On January 25, 2023, Fair Courts America announced that it would begin running a 60-second, statewide radio ad supporting Kelly on January 26. The group said it would spend at least $240,000 to run the ad.[30]
- On November 17, 2022, Fair Courts America spokesman Dan Curry stated, "Fair Courts America is committed to spending millions of dollars to help educate voters in support of Justice Dan Kelly."[38]
Election analysis
Click the tabs below to view information about demographics, past elections, and partisan control of the state.
- Presidential elections - Information about presidential elections in the state.
- Statewide elections - Information about recent U.S. Senate and gubernatorial elections in the state.
- State partisanship - The partisan makeup of the state's congressional delegation and state government.
- Demographics - Information about the state's demographics and how they compare to the country as a whole.
Presidential elections
Cook PVI by congressional district
Cook Political Report's Partisan Voter Index for Wisconsin, 2022 | |||
---|---|---|---|
District | Incumbent | Party | PVI |
Wisconsin's 1st | Bryan Steil | Republican | R+3 |
Wisconsin's 2nd | Mark Pocan | Democratic | D+19 |
Wisconsin's 3rd | Open | Democratic | R+4 |
Wisconsin's 4th | Gwen Moore | Democratic | D+25 |
Wisconsin's 5th | Scott Fitzgerald | Republican | R+14 |
Wisconsin's 6th | Glenn Grothman | Republican | R+10 |
Wisconsin's 7th | Tom Tiffany | Republican | R+12 |
Wisconsin's 8th | Mike Gallagher | Republican | R+10 |
2020 presidential results by 2022 congressional district lines
2020 presidential results in congressional districts based on 2022 district lines, Wisconsin[39] | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
District | Joe Biden | Donald Trump | ||
Wisconsin's 1st | 48.3% | 50.3% | ||
Wisconsin's 2nd | 70.2% | 28.4% | ||
Wisconsin's 3rd | 46.8% | 51.5% | ||
Wisconsin's 4th | 75.9% | 22.8% | ||
Wisconsin's 5th | 37.9% | 60.8% | ||
Wisconsin's 6th | 41.4% | 57.0% | ||
Wisconsin's 7th | 39.3% | 59.2% | ||
Wisconsin's 8th | 41.5% | 57.0% |
2012-2020
How a state's counties vote in a presidential election and the size of those counties can provide additional insights into election outcomes at other levels of government including statewide and congressional races. Below, four categories are used to describe each county's voting pattern over the 2012, 2016, and 2020 presidential elections: Solid, Trending, Battleground, and New. Click [show] on the table below for examples:
County-level voting pattern categories | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | |||||||
Status | 2012 | 2016 | 2020 | ||||
Solid Democratic | D | D | D | ||||
Trending Democratic | R | D | D | ||||
Battleground Democratic | D | R | D | ||||
New Democratic | R | R | D | ||||
Republican | |||||||
Status | 2012 | 2016 | 2020 | ||||
Solid Republican | R | R | R | ||||
Trending Republican | D | R | R | ||||
Battleground Republican | R | D | R | ||||
New Republican | D | D | R |
Following the 2020 presidential election, 46.1% of Wisconsinites lived in one of the state's 37 Solid Republican counties, which voted for the Republican presidential candidate in every election from 2012 to 2020, and 35.7% lived in one of 12 Solid Democratic counties. Overall, Wisconsin was Battleground Democratic, having voted for Barack Obama (D) in 2012, Donald Trump (R) in 2016, and Joe Biden (D) in 2020. Use the table below to view the total number of each type of county in Wisconsin following the 2020 election as well as the overall percentage of the state population located in each county type.
Wisconsin county-level statistics, 2020 | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Solid Republican | 37 | 46.1% | |||||
Solid Democratic | 12 | 35.7% | |||||
Trending Republican | 21 | 16.6% | |||||
Battleground Democratic | 2 | 1.6% | |||||
Total voted Democratic | 14 | 37.3% | |||||
Total voted Republican | 58 | 62.7% |
Historical voting trends
Wisconsin presidential election results (1900-2020)
- 15 Democratic wins
- 15 Republican wins
- 1 other win
Year | 1900 | 1904 | 1908 | 1912 | 1916 | 1920 | 1924 | 1928 | 1932 | 1936 | 1940 | 1944 | 1948 | 1952 | 1956 | 1960 | 1964 | 1968 | 1972 | 1976 | 1980 | 1984 | 1988 | 1992 | 1996 | 2000 | 2004 | 2008 | 2012 | 2016 | 2020 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Winning Party | R | R | R | D | R | R | P[40] | R | D | D | D | R | D | R | R | R | D | R | R | D | R | R | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | R | D |
Statewide elections
This section details the results of the five most recent U.S. Senate and gubernatorial elections held in the state.
U.S. Senate elections
The table below details the vote in the five most recent U.S. Senate races in Wisconsin.
U.S. Senate election results in Wisconsin | ||
---|---|---|
Race | Winner | Runner up |
2022 | 50.4% | 49.4% |
2018 | 55.4% | 44.6% |
2016 | 50.2% | 46.8% |
2012 | 51.4% | 45.9% |
2010 | 51.9% | 47.0% |
Average | 51.9 | 46.7 |
Gubernatorial elections
- See also: Governor of Wisconsin
The table below details the vote in the five most recent gubernatorial elections in Wisconsin.
Gubernatorial election results in Wisconsin | ||
---|---|---|
Race | Winner | Runner up |
2022 | 51.1% | 47.8% |
2018 | 49.5% | 48.4% |
2014 | 52.3% | 46.6% |
2010 | 52.2% | 46.5% |
2006 | 52.8% | 45.4% |
Average | 51.6 | 46.9 |
State partisanship
Congressional delegation
The table below displays the partisan composition of Wisconsin's congressional delegation as of January 2023.
Congressional Partisan Breakdown from Wisconsin, January 2023 | |||
---|---|---|---|
Party | U.S. Senate | U.S. House | Total |
Democratic | 1 | 2 | 3 |
Republican | 1 | 6 | 7 |
Independent | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Vacancies | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Total | 2 | 8 | 10 |
State executive
The table below displays the officeholders in Wisconsin's top four state executive offices as of January 2023.
State executive officials in Wisconsin, January 2023 | |
---|---|
Office | Officeholder |
Governor | Tony Evers |
Lieutenant Governor | Sara Rodriguez |
Secretary of State | Dogulas J. La Follette |
Attorney General | Josh Kaul |
State legislature
The tables below highlight the partisan composition of the Wisconsin State Legislature as of January 2023.
Wisconsin State Senate
Party | As of January 2023 | |
---|---|---|
Democratic Party | 11 | |
Republican Party | 21 | |
Vacancies | 1 | |
Total | 33 |
Wisconsin State Assembly
Party | As of January 2023 | |
---|---|---|
Democratic Party | 35 | |
Republican Party | 64 | |
Vacancies | 0 | |
Total | 99 |
Trifecta control
As of January 2023, Wisconsin was a divided government, with Democrats controlling the governorship and Republican majorities in both chambers of the state legislature. The table below displays the historical trifecta status of the state.
Wisconsin Party Control: 1992-2023
Two years of Democratic trifectas • Ten years of Republican trifectas
Scroll left and right on the table below to view more years.
Year | 92 | 93 | 94 | 95 | 96 | 97 | 98 | 99 | 00 | 01 | 02 | 03 | 04 | 05 | 06 | 07 | 08 | 09 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Governor | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | D | D | D | D | D |
Senate | D | R | R | R | D | D | R | D | D | D | D | R | R | R | R | D | D | D | D | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R |
House | D | D | D | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | D | D | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R |
Demographics
The table below details demographic data in Wisconsin and compares it to the broader United States as of 2019.
Demographic Data for Wisconsin | ||
---|---|---|
Wisconsin | United States | |
Population | 5,686,986 | 308,745,538 |
Land area (sq mi) | 54,167 | 3,531,905 |
Race and ethnicity** | ||
White | 85.4% | 72.5% |
Black/African American | 6.4% | 12.7% |
Asian | 2.8% | 5.5% |
Native American | 0.9% | 0.8% |
Pacific Islander | 0% | 0.2% |
Two or more | 2.4% | 3.3% |
Hispanic/Latino | 6.8% | 18% |
Education | ||
High school graduation rate | 92.2% | 88% |
College graduation rate | 30.1% | 32.1% |
Income | ||
Median household income | $61,747 | $62,843 |
Persons below poverty level | 11.3% | 13.4% |
Source: population provided by U.S. Census Bureau, "Decennial Census" (2010). Other figures provided by U.S. Census Bureau, "American Community Survey" (5-year estimates 2014-2019). | ||
**Note: Percentages for race and ethnicity may add up to more than 100 percent because respondents may report more than one race and the Hispanic/Latino ethnicity may be selected in conjunction with any race. Read more about race and ethnicity in the census here. |
Election context
April 4 ballot measures
- See also: Wisconsin 2023 ballot measures
The April 4, 2023, general election ballot included three ballot questions—two constitutional measures and one advisory question. On January 19, 2023, the Wisconsin State Legislature passed Senate Joint Resolution 2, sending to the ballot two ballot questions related to conditions for the release of an accused person before conviction and cash bail. Also on January 19, the legislature voted to refer an advisory question to the April ballot asking voters whether able-bodied childless adults should have to apply for work before receiving welfare benefits.
Wisconsin Question 1, Conditions of Release Before Conviction Amendment (April 2023)
The ballot question for the amendment was as follows:[41]
|
Wisconsin Question 2, Conditions for Cash Bail Amendment (April 2023)
The ballot question for the amendment was as follows:[43]
|
Wisconsin Question 3, Work Requirement for Welfare Benefits Advisory Question (April 2023)
The full text of the measure was as follows:[44]
|
Ballot access requirements
The table below details filing requirements for supreme court candidates in Wisconsin in the 2023 election cycle. For additional information on candidate ballot access requirements in Wisconsin, click here.
Filing requirements for supreme court candidates, 2023 | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
State | Office | Party | Signatures required | Filing fee | Filing deadline | Source | Notes |
Wisconsin | Justice of the Supreme Court | All candidates | 2,000 | N/A | January 3, 2023 | Source |
General election vote margins
General election voter turnout
Wisconsin Supreme Court election history
Overview
Wisconsin Supreme Court elections, 2005-2020 | ||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Year | Winning candidate | Ideological lean | Percent share of vote | Losing candidate | Ideological lean | Percent share of vote | Margin of victory | Majority on court | Turnout | Other statewide elections on ballot |
2020 | Jill Karofsky | Liberal | 55.2% | Daniel Kelly | Conservative | 44.7% | 10.5% | 4-3 | 45.8% | Primary election - U.S. President |
2019 | Brian Hagedorn | Conservative | 50.2% | Lisa Neubauer | Liberal | 49.7% | 0.5% | 5-2 | 26.6% | None |
2018 | Rebecca Dallet | Liberal | 55.8% | Michael Screnock | Conservative | 44.2% | 11.5% | 4-3 | 22.2% | None |
2017 | Annette Ziegler (incumbent) |
Conservative | 97.2% | Write-in | -- | 2.8% | 94.4% | 5-2 | ~16% | State Superintendent of Public Instruction |
2016 | Rebecca Bradley (incumbent) |
Conservative | 52.4% | JoAnne Kloppenburg | Liberal | 47.5% | 4.9% | 5-2 | 47.4% | Primary election - U.S. President |
2015 | Ann Walsh Bradley (incumbent) |
Liberal | 58.1% | James Daley | Conservative | 41.9% | 16.2% | 4-3 | 18.3% | None |
2013 | Patience Roggensack (incumbent) |
Conservative | 57.5% | Ed Fallone | Liberal | 42.5% | 15% | 4-3 | 20.5% | State Superintendent of Public Instruction |
2011 | David T. Prosser (incumbent) |
Conservative | 50.2% | JoAnne Kloppenburg | Liberal | 49.7% | 0.5% | 4-3 | 34.3% | None |
2009 | Shirley Abrahamson (incumbent) |
Liberal | 59.6% | Randy Koschnick | Conservative | 40.2% | 19.4% | 4-3 | 18.2% | None |
2008 | Michael Gableman | Conservative | 51.1% | Louis Butler (incumbent) |
Liberal | 48.5% | 2.6% | 4-3 | 19.3% | None |
2007 | Annette Ziegler | Conservative | 58.6% | Linda M. Clifford | Liberal | 41.1% | 17.5% | 4-3 | 19.4% | None |
2006 | N. Patrick Crooks (incumbent) |
Liberal | 99.4% | Write-in | -- | 0.6% | 98.8% | 4-3 | 11.8% | None |
2005 | Ann Walsh Bradley (incumbent) |
Liberal | 99.6% | Write-in | -- | 0.4% | 99.2% | 4-3 | 17.1% | State Superintendent of Public Instruction |
2020
- Main article: Wisconsin Supreme Court elections, 2020
General election
General election for Wisconsin Supreme Court
Jill Karofsky defeated incumbent Daniel Kelly in the general election for Wisconsin Supreme Court on April 7, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
✔ | Jill Karofsky (Nonpartisan) | 55.2 | 855,573 | |
Daniel Kelly (Nonpartisan) | 44.7 | 693,134 | ||
Other/Write-in votes | 0.1 | 990 |
Total votes: 1,549,697 | ||||
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. |
Nonpartisan primary election
Nonpartisan primary for Wisconsin Supreme Court
Incumbent Daniel Kelly and Jill Karofsky defeated Edward A. Fallone in the primary for Wisconsin Supreme Court on February 18, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
✔ | Daniel Kelly (Nonpartisan) | 50.1 | 352,876 | |
✔ | Jill Karofsky (Nonpartisan) | 37.2 | 261,783 | |
Edward A. Fallone (Nonpartisan) | 12.7 | 89,184 |
Total votes: 703,843 | ||||
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2019
- See also: Wisconsin Supreme Court elections, 2019
Wisconsin Court of Appeals Judge Brian Hagedorn defeated Wisconsin Court of Appeals Judge Lisa Neubauer in the nonpartisan election for a 10-year term on the Wisconsin Supreme Court on April 2, 2019. Hagedorn won with 50% support. The seat was previously held by Justice Shirley Abrahamson, a member of the court's 4-3 liberal minority at the time of the election. Abrahamson did not run for re-election.
Although the election was officially nonpartisan, groups associated with the Democratic Party tended to support Neubauer while groups associated with the Republican Party tended to support Hagedorn.
General election
General election for Wisconsin Supreme Court
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
✔ | Brian Hagedorn (Nonpartisan) | 50.2 | 606,414 | |
Lisa Neubauer (Nonpartisan) | 49.7 | 600,433 | ||
Other/Write-in votes | 0.1 | 722 |
Total votes: 1,207,569 | ||||
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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2018
- See also: Wisconsin Supreme Court elections, 2018
Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Rebecca Dallet won the nonpartisan election for a 10-year term on the Wisconsin Supreme Court against Sauk County Circuit Judge Michael Screnock on April 3, 2018. Dallet won with 56 percent support. The seat was previously held by Justice Michael Gableman, a member of the court's 5-2 conservative majority at the time of the election, who did not seek re-election.
Although the election was officially nonpartisan, groups associated with the Democratic Party tended to support Dallet while groups associated with the Republican Party tended to support Screnock.
Wisconsin Supreme Court, 2018 | ||
---|---|---|
Candidate | Vote % | Votes |
Rebecca Dallet | 55.72% | 555,848 |
Michael Screnock | 44.19% | 440,808 |
Total Votes (3880/3880 precincts) | 996,656 | |
Source: Wisconsin Elections Commission |
2017
- See also: Wisconsin Supreme Court elections, 2017
Candidates
■ Annette Ziegler (Incumbent/Unopposed)
One seat on the Wisconsin Supreme Court was up for election in 2017. Justice Annette Ziegler was elected to the court in 2007 for a 10-year term and needed to stand for re-election in 2017 in order to serve another term. She ran unopposed.[45] Because she was unopposed, the seat did not appear on the ballot in Wisconsin's February primary election but instead appeared only on the ballot for the April 4 general election.
2016
- See also: Wisconsin Supreme Court elections, 2016
Wisconsin Supreme Court, Rebecca Bradley's Seat, 2016 | ||
---|---|---|
Candidate | Vote % | Votes |
Rebecca Bradley Incumbent | 52.35% | 1,024,892 |
JoAnne Kloppenburg | 47.47% | 929,377 |
Write-in votes | 0.19% | 3,678 |
Total Votes (100% Reporting) | 1,957,947 | |
Source: Wisconsin Government Accountability Board Official Results |
One seat on the Wisconsin Supreme Court was up for election in 2016. Following the death of Justice N. Patrick Crooks on September 21, 2015, Rebecca Bradley was appointed to the Wisconsin Supreme Court by Governor Scott Walker (R) on October 9, 2015. Earlier in September, Crooks had announced his plans to retire at the end of his term.[46] Bradley had already announced a run for Crooks' seat before his death.[47]
Bradley and opponent JoAnne Kloppenburg received the highest number of votes for Bradley's seat in the primary on February 16, 2016, knocking Joe Donald out of the race. Bradley and Kloppenburg then faced each other in the sharply contested April general election. Bradley won. The race had the highest voter turnout for a supreme court race in Wisconsin state history, with over 1,900,000 votes cast.[48][49]
2015
- See also: Wisconsin Supreme Court elections, 2015
- See also: Wisconsin judicial elections, 2015
General election, 2015 | ||
---|---|---|
Candidate | Vote % | Votes |
Ann Walsh Bradley Incumbent | 58.1% | 471,866 |
James Daley | 41.9% | 340,632 |
Total Votes | 813,200 |
One seat was open for election on the Wisconsin Supreme Court in 2015. Incumbent Justice Ann Walsh Bradley defeated Rock County Circuit Court Judge James Daley in the general election on April 7, 2015. Although the election was nonpartisan, Bradley is considered to be part of the liberal minority on the court. If Daley won, conservatives would have held a five-member majority on the seven-member court.[52]
Justice Bradley was elected to the court in 1995 and re-elected in 2005. She previously served as a circuit court judge for 10 years in Marathon County. Judge Daley joined the Rock County Circuit Court since 1989.[53][54]
2013
- See also: Wisconsin judicial elections, 2013
Candidate | Incumbency | Position | Primary Vote | Election Vote |
---|---|---|---|---|
Patience Roggensack | ||||
Ed Fallone | No | 29.8% | 42.47% | |
Vince Megna | No | 6.3% |
One seat was open for election on the Wisconsin Supreme Court in 2013. Incumbent Justice Patience Roggensack defeated law professor Ed Fallone in the general election on April 2, 2013. Although the election was nonpartisan, Roggensack is considered to be a member of the court's conservative majority. If Fallone had won, control of the court would have gone to the liberal wing.
Justice Roggensack was first elected to the court in 2003. She previously served for seven years on the Wisconsin Court of Appeals and for 16 years as an attorney in private practice.
2011
- See also: Wisconsin judicial elections, 2011
Candidate | Incumbency | Position | Primary Vote | Election Vote |
---|---|---|---|---|
JoAnne Kloppenburg | No | District IV | 49.70% | |
David T. Prosser | Yes | 50.192% | ||
Joel Winnig | No | |||
Marla J. Stephens | No |
One seat was open for election on the Wisconsin Supreme Court in 2011. Incumbent Justice David T. Prosser defeated Assistant Attorney General JoAnne Kloppenburg in the general election on April 5, 2011. Although the election was nonpartisan, Prosser is considered to be a member of the court's conservative majority. If Kloppenburg had won, control of the court would have gone to the liberal wing.
Justice Prosser was first appointed to the court in 1998 by Gov. Tommy Thompson (R) and was elected to a full term in 2001. He had previously served on the Wisconsin Tax Appeals Commission and in the Wisconsin State Assembly.
2009
Candidate | Incumbent | Seat | Election votes | Election % |
---|---|---|---|---|
Shirley Abrahamson | Yes | 473,712 | 59.6% | |
Randy Koschnick | No | 319,706 | 40.2% |
2008
- See also: State Supreme Court elections, 2008
Incumbent Louis Butler was defeated by challenger Michael Gableman.
Candidate | Incumbent | Seat | Election votes | Election % |
---|---|---|---|---|
Michael Gableman | No | 425,101 | 51.1% | |
Louis Butler | Yes | 402,798 | 48.5% |
About the Wisconsin Supreme Court
- See also: Wisconsin Supreme Court
The Wisconsin Supreme Court is the highest appellate court in the state of Wisconsin. Seven justices, selected in nonpartisan elections for 10-year terms, sit on the state's court of last resort. The court has jurisdiction over all other Wisconsin courts and can also hear original actions.[56]
Political composition
This is the political composition of the supreme court heading into the 2023 election. Justices are selected in nonpartisan elections. In the case of a mid-term vacancy, the governor appoints a replacement.
■ Brian Hagedorn | Elected in 2019 | |
■ Ann Walsh Bradley | Elected in 1995, 2005, and 2015 | |
■ Patience Roggensack | Elected in 2003 and 2013 | |
■ Annette Ziegler | Elected in 2007 and 2017 | |
■ Rebecca Dallet | Elected in 2018 | |
■ Rebecca Bradley | Appointed by Scott Walker (R) in 2015, elected 2016 | |
■ Jill Karofsky | Elected in 2020 |
Selection
- See also: Nonpartisan election of judges
The seven justices of the Wisconsin Supreme Court are elected in nonpartisan elections. Justices serve 10-year terms.[57][58] In the event of a midterm vacancy, the governor appoints a replacement. If the vacancy occurs after that year's spring election and on or before December 1 of the same year, the appointee must stand for election in the next succeeding spring election in which no other justice is to be elected. If the vacancy occurs after December 1 but before the following spring's election, the appointee must stand for election in the next spring election—beginning with the second spring election from the time of the appointment—in which no other justice is to be elected.[57][58]
The governor solicits recommendations from an Advisory Council on Judicial Selection in making his or her appointments, but is not required to choose one of the suggested appointees.[57][59]
Qualifications
To serve on the supreme court, a justice must be:
- a qualified elector in the state; and
- licensed to practice law in the state for at least five years immediately prior to appointment or election to the court.[57]
Selection of the chief judge
The chief justice of the supreme court is elected by a majority of the justices serving on the Court to serve a two-year term.
2023 battleground elections
- See also: Battlegrounds
This election was a battleground race. Other 2023 battleground elections included:
- City elections in St. Louis, Missouri (2023)
- Mayoral election in Lincoln, Nebraska (2023)
- Wisconsin Supreme Court elections, 2023
See also
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ Wisconsin Public Radio, "Milwaukee County Judge Janet Protasiewicz announces candidacy for state Supreme Court," May 25, 2022
- ↑ The Hill, "Five races to watch in 2023," December 7, 2022
- ↑ Wisconsin State Journal, "Here's why the Wisconsin Supreme Court race matters," November 26, 2022
- ↑ Spectrum News 1, "The campaigns aren't over yet, as the focus shifts to a high-stakes Supreme Court race in Wisconsin," November 14, 2022
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Wisconsin Public Radio, "Wisconsin's next partisan battle will be over the balance of power on its Supreme Court," December 1, 2022
- ↑ Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Wisconsin Supreme Court candidates weigh in on redistricting in first joint election appearance," December 5, 2022
- ↑ The Cap Times, "Devin LeMahieu endorses Jennifer Dorow in Wisconsin Supreme Court race," January 5, 2023
- ↑ Wisconsin Examiner, "Attempting to shift balance, Janet Protasiewicz says she’ll bring fairness to state Supreme Court," December 12, 2022
- ↑ Spectrum News 1, "Wisconsin's race for state Supreme Court heats up as the field of candidates grows," November 30, 2022
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 WISN Channel 12, "Wisconsin Supreme Court race," January 1, 2023
- ↑ PBS Wisconsin, "Meet the candidates running in the 2023 Wisconsin Supreme Court primary," January 4, 2023
- ↑ Wisconsin State Journal, "Here's who's running for the Wisconsin Supreme Court," January 4, 2023
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 WisPolitics, "Protasiewicz Campaign: Judge Janet Protasiewicz announces campaign for state Supreme Court," May 25, 2022
- ↑ 14.0 14.1 WisPolitics, "Protasiewicz campaign: Judge Janet Protasiewicz announces endorsement of Justice Rebecca Dallet," May 31, 2022
- ↑ 15.0 15.1 WisPolitics, "Justice Ann Walsh Bradley: Endorses Judge Janet Protasiewicz for Wisconsin Supreme Court," February 7, 2023
- ↑ 16.0 16.1 WisPolitics, "Kelly campaign: Daniel Kelly launches his campaign to serve on the Wisconsin Supreme Court," September 8, 2022
- ↑ WisPolitics, "Kelly campaign: Judicial conservatives Justice Rebecca Bradley & Judge Shelley Grogan endorse Daniel Kelly," November 14, 2022
- ↑ 18.0 18.1 Wisconsin Examiner, "Waukesha Co. judge announces run for state Supreme Court," November 30, 2022
- ↑ 19.0 19.1 Wisconsin State Journal, "Wisconsin Supreme Court candidates pledge to uphold rule of law," January 10, 2023
- ↑ 20.0 20.1 Wispolitics, "Mitchell campaign: Dane County Judge Everett Mitchell announces candidacy for Wisconsin Supreme Court," June 1, 2022
- ↑ 21.0 21.1 WisPolitics, "Mitchell campaign: Justice Louis Butler endorses Judge Everett Mitchell for Wisconsin Supreme Court," June 30, 2022
- ↑ YouTube, "WISN 12 News: Crowded race for Wisconsin's highest court," November 30, 2022
- ↑ 23.0 23.1 WisPolitics, "Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America, Women Speak Out PAC: America’s leading pro-life group commits six figures in support of Daniel Kelly for Supreme Court," February 14, 2023
- ↑ State of Wisconsin Ethics Commission, "Campaign Finance: Filing Calendar," accessed January 19, 2023
- ↑ 25.0 25.1 Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Wisconsin's Supreme Court race is expected to top $6 million in spending. And that's just for the primary." updated February 11, 2023
- ↑ 26.0 26.1 26.2 WisPolitics, "WED PM Update: Spending in SCOWIS primary tops $5 million," February 8, 2023
- ↑ 27.0 27.1 27.2 WisPolitics, "MON PM Update: Better Wisconsin Together ads knock Dorow on sentencing decisions," February 6, 2023
- ↑ 28.0 28.1 28.2 28.3 WisPolitics, "Kelly to face Protasiewicz in state Supreme Court race," February 21, 2023
- ↑ 29.0 29.1 29.2 WisPolitics, "Fair Courts America: Launching TV ad in Wisconsin supporting Dan Kelly," February 2, 2023
- ↑ 30.0 30.1 WisPolitics, "Fair Courts America: Launches large radio ad in Wisconsin supporting Dan Kelly," January 25, 2023
- ↑ Ballotpedia News, "Wisconsin State Legislature sends three ballot questions to the April ballot," January 20, 2023
- ↑ State of Wisconsin Ethics Commission, "Campaign Finance: Filing Calendar," accessed January 19, 2023
- ↑ 33.0 33.1 WisPolitics, "WisPolitics State Supreme Court election forum," accessed January 9, 2023
- ↑ Daniel Kelly 2023 campaign website, "Judicial Conservatives Justice Rebecca Bradley & Judge Shelley Grogan Endorse Daniel Kelly," November 14, 2022
- ↑ OpenSecrets.org, "Outside Spending," accessed December 12, 2021
- ↑ OpenSecrets.org, "Total Outside Spending by Election Cycle, All Groups," accessed December 12, 2021
- ↑ Amee LaTour, Email correspondence with the Center for Responsive Politics, August 5, 2022
- ↑ WisPolitics, "Fair Courts America: Statement on upcoming Wisconsin Supreme Court race," November 17, 2022
- ↑ Daily Kos, "Daily Kos Elections' presidential results by congressional district for 2020, 2016, and 2012," accessed September 9, 2022
- ↑ Progressive Party
- ↑ Wisconsin State Legislature, "Text of SJR 2," accessed January 5, 2023
- ↑ 42.0 42.1 42.2 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ Wisconsin State Legislature, "Text of SJR 2," accessed January 5, 2023
- ↑ Wisconsin State Legislature, "Senate Joint Resolution 4," accessed January 18, 2023
- ↑ Wisconsin Elections Commission, "Candidate Tracking by Office, 2017 Spring Election - 4/4/2017," accessed January 5, 2017
- ↑ WEAU.com, "Walker appoints Appeals Judge Bradley to WI High Court," October 9, 2015
- ↑ Wisconsin State Journal, "Scott Walker appoints Rebecca Bradley to Supreme Court," October 10, 2015
- ↑ AP, "Wisconsin Summary Vote Results," accessed April 6, 2016
- ↑ Wisconsin Government Accountability Board, "Election Results," accessed April 6, 2016
- ↑ Wisconsin Government Accountability Board, "Candidates Registered 2015 Spring Election," January 8, 2015
- ↑ Wisconsin Election Commission, "2015 Spring Election Results," accessed September 19, 2019
- ↑ Fox 6 News, Ann Walsh Bradley elected to a third term on Wisconsin Supreme Court, defeating James Daley," April 7, 2015
- ↑ Wisconsin Court System, "Justice Ann Walsh Bradley," accessed February 13, 2015
- ↑ Wisconsin Court System, "Wisconsin Supreme Court selects chief judges," June 28, 2013
- ↑ Wisconsin Government Accountability Board, "Results of Spring General Election," April 7, 2009
- ↑ Wisconsin Court System, "Supreme Court," accessed September 18, 2014
- ↑ 57.0 57.1 57.2 57.3 American Judicature Society, "Methods of Judicial Selection: Wisconsin," archived October 3, 2014
- ↑ 58.0 58.1 Wisconsin State Legislature, "Statutes, Chapter 8.50(4)(f)," accessed December 16 2016
- ↑ Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, "Walker's approach to the judiciary," September 21, 2013
Federal courts:
Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals • U.S. District Court: Eastern District of Wisconsin, Western District of Wisconsin • U.S. Bankruptcy Court: Eastern District of Wisconsin, Western District of Wisconsin
State courts:
Wisconsin Supreme Court • Wisconsin Court of Appeals • Wisconsin Circuit Courts
State resources:
Courts in Wisconsin • Wisconsin judicial elections • Judicial selection in Wisconsin
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