EMILY’s List, a national abortion-rights interest group, is weighing in to try and sway the outcome of another high-stakes contest in Wisconsin.
The group endorsed Judge Susan Crawford for the Wisconsin State Supreme Court, an indication that the April election could mirror the last Supreme Court justice race in the state two years ago.
“EMILYs List is proud to endorse Judge Susan Crawford for the Wisconsin state Supreme Court,” EMILY’s List President Jessica Mackler said in a statement that was first shared with the Hill.
The abortion-rights special interest group made contributions totaling more than $2.8 million in 2024, and with the Wisconsin Supreme Court set to hear arguments regarding a state bill that will ban nearly all abortions following the fall of Roe v. Wade, the group may be inclined to contribute to Crawford’s campaign. Crawford, a former prosecutor, has represented Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin.
“Judge Crawford has the experience of a former prosecutor and a judge to ensure the rights and fundamental freedoms of Wisconsinites are protected,” she continued. “As the fight continues to protect abortion access across the nation, it is imperative that we elect fair and impartial judges to state supreme courts. We are thrilled to support her in this election and look forward to holding the majority on the bench.”
While the state Supreme Court is technically nonpartisan, she is facing off against former Republican Wisconsin Attorney General Brad Schimel, who served in that capacity from 2015 to 2019. He appealed a Planned Parenthood lawsuit against a law that would require abortion providers to have admission privileges at hospitals.
They are both the top contenders vying for retiring liberal Justice Ann Walsh Bradley’s seat. With Bradley’s departure, the currently liberal-leaning court will have a 3-3 conservative-liberal divide. Whoever wins the election will tip the court balance in either ideology’s favor.
“The court continues to be a place in Wisconsin politics where big issues are decided,” Barry Burden, a political scientist and elections expert at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, told WPR.org. “The state still has a Democratic governor and Republican Legislature who don’t get along and don’t do much productive lawmaking together … so a lot of the disputes between the parties end up being settled in the courts and eventually in the state Supreme Court.”
In 2023, liberal Justice Janet Protasiewicz, who vocalized support for abortion access on the campaign trail, won the seat and flipped partisan control of the state’s court to liberal for the first time in 15 years.
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The 2023 Supreme Court justice election set a record, with more than $51 million spent on the election by candidates and special interest groups.
“So people who are interested in politics, who are tied into the parties or part of interest groups and movements, are looking for ways to spend their time and money,” Burden said. “And Wisconsin becomes a very appealing target because this one seat on the court can really change the direction of policy in the state.”
