Janet Protasiewicz Elected to Wisconsin Supreme Court, Giving Liberals First Majority in 15 Years

Janet Protasiewicz has been elected to the Wisconsin Supreme Court, NBC News projects, giving liberals their first majority on the state’s highest court in 15 years. Protasiewicz, a judge on the Milwaukee County Circuit Court, defeated conservative Dan Kelly, a former state Supreme Court justice, in what became the most expensive state Supreme Court race in U.S. history and one of the most closely watched elections of 2023.

The victory will allow the court’s new liberal majority to determine the future of several pivotal issues the bench is likely to decide in the coming years, including abortion rights, the state’s gerrymandered legislative maps and election administration — including, possibly, the outcome of the 2024 presidential race in the battleground state.

The election has been closely watched by both Democrats and Republicans, as the outcome will have big ramifications in and out of the state. Protasiewicz appears to be running ahead of her necessary margins in the state, and the Associated Press has called the race for her with a relatively comfortable margin.

The Wisconsin Supreme Court is the highest court in the state and is responsible for interpreting the state’s laws. With the election of Protasiewicz, the court now has a liberal majority, which will likely have a significant impact on the future of the state.