2019 Wisconsin Supreme Court election
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April 2, 2019
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Hagedorn:
50–60% 60–70% 70–80% Neubauer: 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% | |||||||||||||
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| Elections in Wisconsin |
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The 2019 Wisconsin Supreme Court election was held on Tuesday, April 2, 2019, to elect a justice to the Wisconsin Supreme Court for a ten-year term. The incumbent justice, Shirley Abrahamson, retired after 43 years on the court, the longest in the history of the Wisconsin Supreme Court.[1] Although the Wisconsin Supreme Court justices are considered nonpartisan, Abrahamson identified as a liberal and voted with the liberal 3–4 minority on the court. Two colleagues on District II of the Wisconsin Court of Appeals faced off in the general election with judge Brian Hagedorn narrowly defeating Chief judge Lisa Neubauer, shifting the ideology of the court towards conservatives.
This is the most recent time that a conservative candidate has won election to the court. It is also the only contested Supreme Court election held since 2016 that did not see a liberal candidate win at least 55% of the vote against a conservative candidate; that was the outcome of the 2018, 2020, 2023, 2025, and 2026 elections.
Background
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The 2018 and 2019 elections are the fifth instance in the court's history in which two consecutive elections were for open seats (without an incumbent running).[a]
There was no primary held, because only two candidates ran. Had a third candidate qualified for the ballot, a primary would have been held. It is rare for contested Wisconsin Supreme Court races to be held without the need for a primary, with this being the first such instance since 1978, and the last until 2025.[2]
Candidates
[edit]There was no Supreme Court primary in 2019, as only two candidates ran for the seat.
Declared
[edit]- Brian Hagedorn, Wisconsin Court of Appeals judge[5]
- Lisa Neubauer, chief judge of the Wisconsin Court of Appeals[6]
Declined
[edit]- Shirley Abrahamson, incumbent Supreme Court justice[7]
- Susan Happ, Jefferson County district attorney, Democratic nominee for Wisconsin attorney general in 2014[8]
- Maria Lazar, judge of the Waukesha County Circuit Court (endorsed Hagedorn)[9][10]
General election
[edit]Campaign
[edit]During the campaign, Neubauer ran on her qualifications, often highlighting the endorsement of over 300 judges across the state. Her campaign also opted against direct donations and resources from the state Democratic party.[11]
Hagedorn's campaign was hit early on by scandals involving his blog writings when he was a law student. Examples of Hagedorn's writings include comparing homosexuality to bestiality,[12] referring to Planned Parenthood as a “wicked organization more committed to killing babies than helping women.”[13] In response to critiques on his past blog posts, Hagedorn stated it was an attack on his Christian evangelical faith, and that he sets aside his personal beliefs on the bench.[14] Hagedorn was also under fire for serving on the board of Augustine Academy, a Christian school, that bans its faculty, students, and student's parents from being in same-sex relationships.[15] This led to some organizations that traditionally support the conservative candidate in Wisconsin Supreme Court elections to sit out, including the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the Wisconsin Realtor's Association, which rescinded their endorsement.[16]
During the debates in March, both candidates sought to characterize the other as the partisan candidate. Neubauer focused on Hagedorn's past blog writings and his previous work as Governor Scott Walker's legal counsel,[17] while Hagedorn tied Neubauer to incumbent Justice Shirley Abrahamson, whom he viewed as a biased jurist.[18]
Throughout the campaign, Neubauer held a spending and fundraising advantage, and at one point had outspent Hagedorn 14-to-1.[19] During the last week of the campaign in March, the Republican State Leadership Committee spent over $1 million in ads supporting Hagedorn, portraying Hagedorn as a victim of smears of similar nature to Justice Brett Kavanaugh during his contentious hearings.[20] The RSLC specifically targeted low-propensity Trump voters during their ad campaign.[11]
On election day, Hagedorn emerged as the top vote getter, with a 6,000 vote lead over Neubauer. Hagedorn declared victory the following day, describing his lead as insurmountable.[21] Neubauer conceded the race one week later on April 10.[22] Hagedorn's victory was seen as an upset victory, in part due to his scandals during the campaign and Neubauer's spending advantage.[19][20] Wisconsin Republican Party Executive Director Mark Jefferson touted Hagedorn's victory as sending, "[a] message to all of America that we're ready to keep Wisconsin red as we turn our attention to mobilizing for 2020 and re-electing President Trump."[23]
Endorsements
[edit]Judicial officials
- Rebecca Bradley, justice of the Wisconsin Supreme Court[24]
- Michael Gableman, former justice of the Wisconsin Supreme Court (2008–2018)[24]
- Daniel Kelly, justice of the Wisconsin Supreme Court[24]
- David Prosser, former justice of the Wisconsin Supreme Court (1998–2016)[25]
- Jon Wilcox, former justice of the Wisconsin Supreme Court (1992–2007)[25]
Organizations
- National Rifle Association Political Victory Fund[26]
- Pro-Life Wisconsin Victory Fund PAC[27]
Wisconsin Realtors Association[28]- Wisconsin Right to Life PAC[29]
Labor unions
Political parties
Judicial officials
- 19 current and former Wisconsin Court of Appeals judges[32]
Labor unions
Organizations
- Citizen Action Wisconsin[36]
- Human Rights Campaign[37]
- National Democratic Redistricting Committee[38]
- Planned Parenthood Advocates of Wisconsin[39]
Political parties
Newspapers and other media
Debates
[edit]| No. | Date | Host | Moderators | Link | Candidates | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| P Participant A Absent N Non-invitee I Invitee W Withdrawn | ||||||
| Hagedorn | Neubauer | |||||
| 1[18] | March 15, 2019 | WISC-TV State Bar of Wisconsin WisPolitics |
Eric Franke | YouTube | P | P |
| 2[44] | March 19, 2019 | Milwaukee Bar Association WisconsinEye |
Steve Walters | WisEye | P | P |
| 3[45] | March 26, 2019 | WISN-TV Marquette University Law School |
Mike Gousha | YouTube | P | P |
Fundraising
[edit]Outside spending totaled around $4.3 million, with $2.7 million in favor of Neubauer and $1.6 million in favor of Hagedorn.[46]
| Campaign finance reports as of June 30, 2019 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Raised | Spent | Cash on hand |
| Brian Hagedorn | $1,723,399 | $1,681,773 | $42,075 |
| Lisa Neubauer | $2,016,260 | $2,013,196 | $5,070 |
| Source: WI Ethics Commission[47] | |||
Results
[edit]| Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brian Hagedorn | 606,414 | 50.22 | |
| Lisa Neubauer | 600,433 | 49.72 | |
| Write-in | 722 | 0.06 | |
| Total votes | 1,207,569 | 100.00 | |
By congressional district
[edit]| District | Hagedorn | Neubauer | Representative |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 58.4% | 41.6% | Bryan Steil |
| 2nd | 25.5% | 74.5% | Mark Pocan |
| 3rd | 47.2% | 52.8% | Ron Kind |
| 4th | 29.8% | 70.2% | Gwen Moore |
| 5th | 64.6% | 35.4% | Jim Sensenbrenner |
| 6th | 59.2% | 40.8% | Glenn Grothman |
| 7th | 57.4% | 42.6% | Sean Duffy |
| 8th | 57.3% | 42.7% | Mike Gallagher |
Notes
[edit]See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ↑ Marley, Patrick (December 20, 2020). "Shirley Abrahamson, longest-serving member of Wisconsin Supreme Court, dies at 87". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved March 14, 2025.
- 1 2 3 4 Ostermeier, Dr Eric (January 13, 2025). "Wisconsin Supreme Court 2025 Election by the Numbers". Smart Politics (University of Minnesota). Retrieved July 5, 2025.
- ↑ Spicuzza, Mary; Bice, Daniel (August 29, 2025). "Conservative Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Rebecca Bradley will not seek reelection". Milwaukee Journal Sentine]. Retrieved August 29, 2025.
- ↑ van Wagtendonk, Anya (March 9, 2026). "Conservative Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Annette Ziegler to retire". Wisconsin Public Radio. Retrieved March 9, 2026.
- ↑ "Hagedorn announces bid for state Supreme Court". WisPolitics. August 16, 2018. Retrieved March 15, 2025.
- ↑ "Neubauer formally launches bid for state Supreme Court". WisPolitics. July 12, 2018. Retrieved March 15, 2025.
- ↑ Johnson, Shawn (May 30, 2018). "Longtime Wisconsin Justice Shirley Abrahamson Won't Seek Re-Election". Wisconsin Public Radio. Retrieved March 14, 2025.
- ↑ DeFour, Matthew (June 12, 2018). "Jefferson County DA Susan Happ considering a run for Supreme Court in 2019". Wisconsin State Journal.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link) - ↑ "Waukesha County Judge Lazar considering Supreme Court run". Wisconsin Law Journal. June 13, 2018.
- ↑ "Lazar campaign: Declines to run for Wisconsin state Supreme Court". wispolitics.com. November 26, 2018.
- 1 2 Elbow, Steven (May 1, 2019). "Supreme upset: Last-ditch Republican effort leaves Wisconsin liberals in the dust — again". The Capital Times.
- ↑ Hagedorn, Brian (October 19, 2005). "Man dies as a result of sex with horse".
- ↑ Bice, Daniel (January 31, 2019). "Bice: Supreme Court candidate once wrote that gay rights ruling could lead to legalized bestiality". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
- ↑ Beck, Molly (February 4, 2019). "Supreme Court candidate Brian Hagedorn defends blog posts, says religious views under attack". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
- ↑ Opoien, Jessie (February 14, 2019). "Supreme Court candidate Brian Hagedorn founded school banning same-sex relationships". The Cap Times.
- ↑ "STATEMENT BY MICHAEL THEO WRA President & CEO" (PDF). Wisconsin Realtors Association (Press release). February 18, 2019. Archived from the original on March 30, 2020. Retrieved April 14, 2026.
{{cite press release}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link) - ↑ Bauer, Scott (March 26, 2019). "Hagedorn accuses Neubauer of lying in Supreme Court debate". Associated Press.
- 1 2 Johnson, Shawn (March 15, 2019). "Hagedorn, Neubauer Spar Over Political Ties During Supreme Court Debate". Wisconsin Public Radio.
- 1 2 Lueders, Bill (April 3, 2019). "Brian Hagedorn's lucky breaks". Isthmus.
- 1 2 McCormack, John (April 11, 2019). "How Conservatives Scored a Stunning Upset in Wisconsin". National Review.
- ↑ DuPont, Amy (April 3, 2019). "'We made history:' Hagedorn declares victory in state Supreme Court race, but recount possible". Fox 6 Milwaukee.
- ↑ Kelly, Joe (April 10, 2019). "Wisconsin High Court Race Ends With Liberal Conceding". Courthouse News Service.
- ↑ Ball, Alan (April 5, 2025). "A Liberal High-Water Mark?". SCOW Stats. Retrieved November 4, 2025.
- 1 2 3 "Hagedorn campaign: Announces candidacy for the Wisconsin Supreme Court". wispolitics.com. August 16, 2018.
- 1 2 "Former Wisconsin Supreme Court Justices Jon Wilcox and David Prosser Endorse Hagedorn for Supreme Court". Urban Milwaukee. January 22, 2019.
- ↑ "NRA Endorses Brian Hagedorn for Wisconsin Supreme Court". NRA-PVF. March 18, 2019.
- ↑ "PRO-LIFE WISCONSIN PAC ENDORSES JUDGE BRIAN HAGEDORN FOR WISCONSIN SUPREME COURT". ProLifeWI. February 27, 2019.
- ↑ "Group revokes endorsement of Wisconsin Supreme Court candidate". WISN-TV. February 21, 2019.
- ↑ "Wisconsin Right to Life PAC Endorses Brian Hagedorn for Wisconsin Supreme Court". Wisconsin Right to Life. March 7, 2019.
- ↑ "Judge Hagedorn: Milwaukee Police Association endorses Hagedorn for Supreme Court". Wispolitics.com. March 11, 2019.
- 1 2 Bice, Daniel (March 2, 2019). "Bice: Political party ties run deep for Supreme Court candidates Neubauer and Hagedorn". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link) - ↑ "Neubauer campaign: Supreme Court candidate Judge Lisa Neubauer announces support from more than 200 judges across Wisconsin". wispolitics.com. August 20, 2018.
- ↑ "Teamsters Joint Council 39 Endorses Neubauer For Wisconsin Supreme Court" (Press release). January 30, 2019.
- ↑ "NEUBAUER FOR SUPREME COURT". WI AFL-CIO. February 11, 2019.
- ↑ "Wisconsin Building Trades Endorse Judge Lisa Neubauer" (PDF).
- ↑ "Citizen Action 2019 Spring Election Endorsements". Citizen Action Wisconsin. March 28, 2019.
- ↑ "HRC Endorses Judge Lisa Neubauer for the Wisconsin Supreme Court". Human Rights Campaign. March 25, 2019.
- ↑ "Eric Holder's Group Spending $350K To Help Supreme Court Candidate Lisa Neubauer". Wisconsin Public Radio. March 4, 2019.
- ↑ "Planned Parenthood Advocates of Wisconsin Announces Judicial Endorsements". Planned Parenthood Action. March 7, 2019.
- ↑ "Wisconsin Working Families Party: Endorses Judge Lisa Neubauer for Supreme Court". wispolitics.com. February 6, 2019.
- ↑ "Editorial: Judge Neubauer will be an outstanding Supreme Court justice". The Cap Times. March 20, 2019.
- ↑ "Shepherd Express Enthusiastically Endorses Lisa Neubauer". The Shepherd Express. March 26, 2019.
- ↑ "Our endorsement for Wisconsin Supreme Court: Lisa Neubauer". Wisconsin State Journal. March 27, 2019.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link) - ↑ Silver, Maayan (March 19, 2019). "Wisconsin Supreme Court Candidates Face Off, Address Partisanship & Past". WUWM.
- ↑ "Wisconsin Supreme Court Debate To Air Live On WISN 12". Urban Milwaukee. March 8, 2019. Retrieved March 14, 2025.
- ↑ "Special Interests Doled Out $4.3M in Wisconsin Supreme Court Race". Wisconsin Democracy Campaign. April 10, 2019.
- ↑ "Sunshine: Wisconsin Campaign Finance Supreme Court 2019 Spring General".
- ↑ "Election results and Wisconsin parties" (PDF). Wisconsin Blue Book 2019-2020 (Report). State of Wisconsin. 2019. pp. 618–620. ISBN 978-1-7333817-0-3. Retrieved March 15, 2025.