MADISON — Liberal state Appeals Court Judge Chris Taylor has raised more than $583,000 in her bid for the Wisconsin Supreme Court — outpacing liberal Justice-elect Susan Crawford’s haul in the same timeframe during what became the most expensive judicial race in U.S. history.
Taylor’s campaign announced July 11 that it has raised $583,933 since the former Democratic state lawmaker launched her campaign in May. At the same point in 2024, Crawford’s campaign had brought in $460,000 — a record-breaking amount at the time.
Taylor, who served as public policy director for Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin before her time in the Legislature, seeks to unseat conservative Justice Rebecca Bradley, who was elected to the state’s high court in 2016. The election is in April 2026.
Bradley has not officially announced her plans and has not yet made her latest financial filing. She told Wispolitics.com in April she planned to run to “ensure that there is a voice for the constitution and for the rule of law to preserve that in the state of Wisconsin.”
In her first financial filing of the race, Taylor will report receiving nearly 4,800 contributions, including donors from each of the state’s 72 counties. The campaign did not share how much cash the campaign currently has on hand, but a spokesman said Taylor has put $10,000 of her own money into the race.
“The overwhelming support for Judge Taylor early in this race shows how committed Wisconsinites are to reinforcing the majority on the court and electing a justice who will protect their rights and freedoms,” Taylor campaign manager Ashley Franz said in a statement. “Judge Taylor’s broad base of support reflects her commitment to serving all Wisconsinites and ensuring our courts remain fair and independent.”
The 2025 race, in which Crawford defeated conservative Waukesha County Judge Brad Schimel, topped $100 million in spending. Crawford’s victory over conservative Waukesha County Judge Brad Schimel, a former Republican attorney general, cemented liberal control of the seven-member body until at least 2028.
Liberal candidates have won four of Wisconsin’s last five Supreme Court elections, each by double digits. While ideological control is no longer up for grabs, a Taylor victory would expand the state high court’s liberal majority to 5-2.
Jessie Opoien can be reached at jessie.opoien@jrn.com.