Wisconsin Supreme Court conservative justice says she will not seek reelection in 2026
Wisconsin Supreme Court conservative Justice Rebecca Bradley announced that she will not seek reelection in 2026. Appointed in 2015 by Governor Scott Walker and elected to a 10-year term in 2016, Bradley stated that stepping down is the best way for her to help rebuild the conservative movement and advocate for liberty, rather than remaining a minority on the court. her decision opens the upcoming election without an incumbent candidate.
The 2025 Wisconsin Supreme Court race was historically the most expensive judicial contest in the U.S., with a combined $100 million raised by candidates. The 2026 race is expected to be less contentious as the liberal justices currently hold a solid majority on the court after recent elections. Although Supreme Court races in Wisconsin are officially nonpartisan, they have recently seen significant partisan funding.
Liberal candidates have dominated recent statewide Supreme Court elections, winning by large margins. if conservatives lose Bradley’s seat in 2026, the court’s liberal majority will increase from 4-3 to 5-2. The primary election is scheduled for Febuary 2026, with the general election to be held on April 7, 2026. Liberal-leaning State Appeals Court Judge Chris Taylor has already announced her candidacy for the seat.
Wisconsin Supreme Court conservative justice says she will not seek reelection in 2026
Wisconsin Supreme Court conservative justice Rebecca Bradley said Friday that she would not seek reelection when her term is up in 2026.
“I will not seek reelection to the Wisconsin Supreme Court because I believe the best path for me to rebuild the conservative movement and fight for liberty is not as a minority member of the Court,” Bradley said in a statement.
Her announcement leaves the race open with no incumbent candidate.
Bradley was appointed to the state Supreme Court by then-Gov. Scott Walker (R-WI) in 2015 and was elected to a full 10-year term in 2016. She was one of the most outspoken justices on the court.
Her announcement comes after she did not raise any money for her campaign in the last campaign finance reporting period. She had previously indicated that she would run.
The 2025 Wisconsin Supreme Court race made history as the most expensive judicial race in U.S. history, beating the state’s 2023 Supreme Court race, which, at the time, was the most expensive judicial race. Justice Susan Crawford and her conservative opponent Brad Schimel raised a combined $100 million. Crawford beat Schimel by 10 points.
The state’s 2026 Supreme Court race will be less high-stakes than the last two, because there is not the opportunity for voters to sway the ideological leaning of the court. Crawford’s win solidified liberal-leaning justices control of the Wisconsin Supreme Court until at least 2028.
The Wisconsin Supreme Court elections are technically nonpartisan, but the last two races have seen millions donated by partisan groups. State Appeals Court Judge Chris Taylor, a liberal, was the first candidate to enter the race, announcing her campaign in May.
EVERY WISCONSIN COUNTY SHIFTED LEFT IN STATE SUPREME COURT RACE
Liberal-leaning candidates have won four of the last five Wisconsin Supreme Court elections by double-digit margins. If conservatives lose Bradley’s seat next year, the court’s 4-3 liberal majority will grow to 5-2. Another conservative justice is up for reelection in 2027.
A primary will be held in February. The election will take place on April 7, 2026.
" Conservative News Daily does not always share or support the views and opinions expressed here; they are just those of the writer."
*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
