Justice Ann Walsh, a liberal Supreme Court justice from Wisconsin has announced her plans to retire, opting out of running for reelection. As of now, Walsh holding the position has given liberals the majority at the highest bench.
The 73-year-old Judge has held the Supreme Court position for 30 years. With her departure, it will open up the door for conservatives to regain the majority at the highest court.
During a statement made by Walsh in regards to her retirement announcement, she stated that she felt this was the right time to bring in new viewpoints to the position:
“It’s just time to pass the torch, bringing fresh perspectives to the court,”
Source: Courthouse News Service – https://www.courthousenews.com/liberal-wisconsin-supreme-court-justice-to-step-down-after-30-years-on-the-bench/
She would also mention that she felt confident about her ability to continue the job and her high potential for reelection, but she was ready to move on:
“My decision has not come lightly. It is made after careful consideration and reflection. I know I can do the job and do it well. I know I can win re-election should I run, but it’s just time to pass the torch,”
Source: NBC News – https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/elections/wisconsin-supreme-court-justice-retire-liberal-majority-rcna147417
Race to Replace Justice Walsh Will Be Expensive and Contentious
Justice Walsh’s term will come to an end in July 2025. This announcement has prompted a discussion around a potentially heated and expensive April 2025 race to replace her.
It has been estimated that the total spending in the previous 2023 race, where progressive Supreme Court Justice Janet Protasiewicz was elected, came with a cost five times higher than the 2020 record of $10 million. Special interest groups and candidates had spent more than $51 million on the race.
Source: Courthouse News Service – https://www.courthousenews.com/liberal-wisconsin-supreme-court-justice-to-step-down-after-30-years-on-the-bench/
Former conservative Attorney General Brad Schimel has announced his candidacy. At least two liberal judges are currently considering running for the race: state Appeals Court Judge Chris Taylor and Dane County Circuit Judge Susan Crawford. More candidate announcements are expected to come shortly.
Source: Associated Press – https://apnews.com/article/wisconsin-supreme-court-ann-walsh-bradley-ba29210af3cfddd4d321ac3c192e1a44
Liberal Justice Replacement Likely Associated With Abortion Rights Losses And Trump
As Walsh’s announcement to step down has been making the rounds, many of the same paramount issues will be at the forefront of the race, such as abortion rights.
Media outlets have discussed Donald Trump potentially taking the office of the presidency and banning abortion at the federal level. Now those same news sources are discussing the evolution of his stances over many years.
Source: NBC News – https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/donald-trump/trumps-abortion-stances-republicans-2024-gop-rcna147222
However, in a video posted to Truth Social, Former President Donald Trump has clearly outlined his position, where he declines to endorse a federal ban, preferring to leave the choice up to the state.
“Many people have asked me what my position is on abortion and abortion rights,”
“My view is now that we have abortion where everybody wanted it from a legal standpoint, the states will determine by vote or legislation or perhaps both. And whatever they decide must be the law of the land — in this case, the law of the state.”
Source: Associated Press – https://apnews.com/article/trump-abortion-2024-ban-7bf06e0856b88a710c79a6eb85cffa6a
Irrespective of your stance on abortion, one thing is for sure, the 2025 race to elect a new Supreme Court justice will be highly politicized and contentious. There is much at stake for Democrats and Republicans.
