(TheRedWire.com) – Janet Protasiewicz, a judge on the Milwaukee County Circuit Court, has won a seat on the Wisconsin Supreme Court, marking the first time that the state’s highest court is going to be liberal-leaning in 15 years.
On Tuesday, Protasiewicz won against conservative Dan Kelly, a former state Supreme Court justice, in what has been the most expensive state Supreme Court race in U.S. history. This victory will mean the new liberal majority is going to have the power to decide on some important issues in the coming years, including issues regarding abortion rights and access, the state’s gerrymandered legislative maps and election administration, as well as, potentially the outcome of the 2024 presidential race.
Currently, 85 percent of expected votes have been counted for Protasiewicz and has received the support of 55 percent of voters, while Kelly had the support of 45 percent. Prior to this election, the court had a conservative-leaning majority of 4-3. However, Protasiewicz will be replacing retiring conservative Justice Patience Roggensack, which would allow the liberals to have their first majority in the state’s court since 2008. Protasiewicz won the election for a 10-year term.
Protasiewicz in her campaign was vocal about her position on many issues including abortion rights. She had received the endorsement of many prominent Democrats including Hillary Clinton, former Attorney General Eric Holder, and others. Democrats across the state and nation have noted the importance of this race on both abortion rights and having fair elections.
Copyright 2023, TheRedWire.com
