Wisconsin Supreme Court elections have grown significantly tighter over the past decade, with victory margins shrinking from double-digit percentages to near-statistical ties in recent cycles, according to election data analyzed by Wausau Pilot & Review.
The nonpartisan analysis shows the average winning margin dropped from 12.4% in 2013 to just 2.1% in 2023, reflecting the state’s deepening political polarization. Judicial elections have become proxy battles for partisan control of the court, which currently has a 4-3 liberal majority after April 2023’s pivotal election.
‘These aren’t sleepy judicial races anymore – they’re among the most expensive and fiercely contested elections in the country,’ said one Madison-based political analyst who requested anonymity to discuss ongoing litigation. Campaign spending surpassed $45 million in the 2023 cycle, breaking national records for state judicial elections.
The narrowing margins correspond with increased national attention on state supreme courts following major rulings on abortion rights, redistricting, and election administration. Legal experts warn the trend could undermine perceptions of judicial impartiality.