Republicans aim to capitalize on their recent presidential victories in two key battleground states to reshape their highest courts.
According to The Associated Press, the GOP is setting its sights on transforming the liberal majorities of state Supreme Courts in Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, with campaign spending expected to surpass $70 million from previous races.
The upcoming judicial contests have drawn national attention, including from influential figures like Elon Musk, while highlighting tensions surrounding January 6 pardons and election integrity. These races will determine critical rulings on abortion rights, voting laws, and redistricting efforts in both states.
The courts have played pivotal roles in both states, where Democratic governors face Republican-controlled or partially controlled legislatures. Recent liberal court majorities have delivered significant victories for Democrats, including decisions on legislative districting and voting rights cases.
Wisconsin's April 1 election will determine control of its Supreme Court's 4-3 majority as voters choose between Dane County Circuit Judge Susan Crawford, backed by Democrats, and former Republican Attorney General Brad Schimel, now serving as Waukesha County Circuit Judge.
The Wisconsin race has already attracted substantial attention, with Schimel launching a $1.1 million television campaign followed by Crawford's own media presence. The contest is viewed as a crucial indicator of national political sentiment following recent narrow victories by both parties.
In Pennsylvania, three Democratic justices face retention votes that could alter the court's current 5-2 liberal majority. The November election will decide whether Justices Christine Donohue, Kevin Dougherty, and David Wecht secure additional 10-year terms.
Campaign strategist J.J. Abbott noted: "For both sides, these races seem much, much higher profile than they used to be."
The 2023 Wisconsin Supreme Court race set national records for judicial campaign spending, exceeding $51 million. This year's contest is projected to surpass that figure, with candidates already reporting higher fundraising totals than the previous cycle.
Both parties are developing strategies to overcome voter fatigue following intense presidential campaigning. Democratic strategists emphasize direct voter engagement through state-wide tours and personal interactions.
Pennsylvania Democrats are working to maintain focus on defending their court majority while expanding outreach to both urban and rural voters. They're also exploring innovative communication methods inspired by Trump's successful campaign tactics.
Republican success in challenging the retention votes may depend on high-level party support and potential involvement from former President Trump. The outcomes will significantly impact pending cases on abortion access, mail-in voting regulations, and various constitutional challenges in both states.
The upcoming judicial elections in Pennsylvania and Wisconsin represent critical battlegrounds for control over state Supreme Courts following Republican presidential victories in both states. These contests will determine the trajectory of significant legal decisions affecting abortion rights, election procedures, and legislative districting while potentially breaking previous campaign spending records. The outcomes will reshape the judicial landscape in these pivotal swing states, with implications extending far beyond their borders.
