The 2018 Wisconsin Supreme Court election was held on April 3, 2018 to elect a justice to the Wisconsin Supreme Court for a ten-year term. The incumbent justice, Michael Gableman, retired rather than seek another term. Milwaukee County circuit court judge Rebecca Dallet defeated Sauk County circuit court judge Michael Screnock, shifting the ideology of the court towards liberals.
Dallet's landslide victory was seen as a sign of Democratic enthusiasm ahead of the 2018 midterm elections in November. Reacting to the results of the election, Governor Scott Walker warned that Republicans were at risk of a blue wave in Wisconsin. Walker's prediction would turn out to be true, as he lost re-election and Democrats won all five statewide races in the fall Wisconsin elections.
Primary election Candidates Advanced Rebecca Dallet, judge of the Milwaukee County Circuit Court (Branch 40) Michael Screnock, judge of the Sauk County Circuit Court (Branch 1)
Eliminated in primary Tim Burns, insurance attorney
Declined Michael Gableman, incumbent Supreme Court justice
Endorsements
Forums + 2018 Wisconsin Supreme Court candidate forums Date Host Moderator Link CandidatesKey: Participant Absent Not invited Invited Withdrawn TimBurns RebeccaDallet MichaelScrenock1 August 11, 2017 American Constitution Society Jeff Bowen WisEye 2 January 22, 2018 The Federalist Society Ryan Owens YouTube 3 February 5, 2018 Milwaukee Bar Association John DiMotto YouTube 4 February 13, 2018 Brown County Medical Society – YouTube
Fundraising Campaign finance reports as of February 5, 2018CandidateRaisedSpentCash on handTim Burns $337,310 $211,373 $125,937Rebecca Dallet $587,571 $363,764 $237,090Michael Screnock $318,321 $228,187 $90,212Source: WI Ethics Commission
Results
General election
Post-primary endorsements
Debates + 2018 Wisconsin Supreme Court candidate debates Date Host Moderator Link CandidatesKey: Participant Absent Not invited Invited Withdrawn Rebecca Dallet Michael Screnock1 March 2, 2018 WISN-TVMarquette University Law School Mike Gousha YouTube 2 March 26, 2018 Milwaukee Bar AssociationWisconsinEye Steve Walters WisEye 3 March 30, 2018 Wisconsin Public RadioPBS Wisconsin Frederica FreybergShawn Johnson PBS
Fundraising Outside spending by groups reached up to $1.7 million, a week before the general election. Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce spent $940k in support of Screnock, while Dallet received support from the Greater Wisconsin Committee, totaling $655k.
Campaign finance reports as of June 30, 2018CandidateRaisedSpentCash on handRebecca Dallet $680,963 $911,848 $6,204Michael Screnock $758,024 $836,836 $11,401Source: WI Ethics Commission
Results
References