In a supreme court race like no other, Wisconsins political future is up for grabs

Wisconsin's political future hangs in the balance as the state prepares for a historic Supreme Court race. The contest between incumbent Justice Rebecca Bradley and her challenger, Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Jill Karofsky, has been unlike any other in recent memory, with high stakes for both sides.

At its core, the race is a battle for control of the state's highest court. Wisconsin's Supreme Court has been the site of numerous high-profile battles in recent years, particularly over issues related to voting rights, redistricting, and the powers of the governor and the state legislature. With the court evenly split between conservative and liberal-leaning justices, the outcome of this election could tip the balance one way or the other.

But the race has also become a proxy for a larger battle over the direction of Wisconsin's politics. The state has been deeply divided in recent years, with a Republican-controlled legislature and governor's office pursuing a conservative agenda while Democrats have sought to push back against those efforts. The Supreme Court race has become a key battleground in this fight, with both sides pouring money and resources into the contest.

On one side is Justice Bradley, a conservative jurist who was appointed to the court by Republican Governor Scott Walker in 2015. She has been a reliable vote for the conservative wing of the court, siding with her fellow justices on issues such as gun rights, voter ID laws, and the rights of employers. Her campaign has been heavily supported by outside groups, including the Republican Party of Wisconsin and the Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce group, which have poured millions of dollars into TV ads and other forms of messaging in support of her candidacy.

On the other side is Judge Karofsky, a former prosecutor and state assistant attorney general who now serves as a circuit court judge in Milwaukee County. She has been endorsed by numerous progressive groups, including the state Democratic Party, the AFL-CIO, and the Wisconsin Education Association Council. Her campaign has focused on issues such as criminal justice reform, protecting the rights of workers, and promoting access to affordable healthcare.

The race has been marked by numerous controversies and twists and turns. Justice Bradley has come under fire for comments she made in college that were described as racist, homophobic, and xenophobic. She has apologized for those comments, but critics have questioned whether she is fit to serve on the state's highest court. Judge Karofsky has faced criticism for accepting donations from attorneys who have appeared before her in court, a move that some have described as a conflict of interest.

Both candidates have also faced challenges related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Wisconsin's spring election is scheduled for April 7, but many polling places have been closed or consolidated in order to reduce the risk of spreading the virus. This has led to confusion and concerns about voter suppression, particularly in urban areas with large minority populations. Both campaigns have been forced to adjust their strategies in response to these challenges, with Justice Bradley moving to virtual campaign events and Judge Karofsky focusing on online outreach and phone banking.

The stakes in this election are high, not just for the future of the Wisconsin Supreme Court but for the state's political landscape as a whole. With a closely divided electorate and a polarized political climate, the race has become a bellwether for the 2020 presidential election and beyond. Whoever wins this contest will have a significant impact on the direction of Wisconsin's politics for years to come.