Liberal Wisconsin Supreme Court justice says she won’t run again, launching fight for control

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Ann Walsh-Bradley announced Thursday that she will not seek another term, setting up a high-stakes fight for control of the battleground state’s highest court.

Bradley, who is part of the Court’s 4-3 liberal majority, said she was confident in her ability to win a fourth 10-year term, but that it was time to “pass the torch.” His term will end on July 31, 2025.

The election for the open seat will take place next April. Brad Schimel, the former Republican attorney general, announced his intention to run in November.

The race was already expected to be hot, but Bradley’s departure makes it an open race.

“My decision was not made lightly,” Bradley said in a statement. “It is made after careful consideration and consideration.”

Liberals hold the majority thanks to Janet Protasiewicz’s 2023 victory over former Justice Dan Kelly, flipping the court after 15 years of conservative control.

The court has issued several key rulings since liberals took control, including a December ruling overturning Republican-drawn maps of state legislative districts.

Abortion was also a central issue during Protasiewicz’s race and the court has since been asked to consider two challenges to a 174-year-old state law that conservatives have interpreted as banning abortion.