Wisconsin Supreme Court welcomes Susan Crawford as its newest member starting her tenure.
Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Susan Crawford began her 10-year term on the state's highest court on Friday, preserving the court's current liberal majority at least through 2028.
Crawford, who most recently served as a Dane County Circuit Court judge, defeated conservative candidate Brad Schimel in April, securing a 4-3 liberal majority on the court.
At her investiture ceremony, Crawford emphasised the importance of the questions that come before the court, stating, "The questions that come before the court still shape and project democracy, communities, and the rights of Wisconsin residents."
The ceremony also marked Chief Justice Ann Walsh Bradley's retirement, after serving 30 years on the court.
With Justice Crawford joining the court, the Wisconsin Supreme Court is expected to remain an influential venue for decisions on redistricting, voting access, labor regulations, and environmental law. Given Crawford's stated commitment to constitutional principles and judicial independence, it is likely that environmental protections and labor rights will be areas where the court could issue impactful decisions during her tenure.
Historically, this court has also made major rulings on abortion rights and the division of power between Wisconsin’s governor and legislature, indicating a continued willingness to engage in politically charged but constitutionally significant cases. As such, the court could hear cases on congressional maps, likely involving redistricting controversies, as well as cases touching on labor laws and voting rights in the next year.
Crawford's victory marked the beginning of her 10-year term on the state's highest court. With elections for the state's highest court every year for the next four years, it will be interesting to see how the political landscape of the court continues to evolve.
- Discussions around policy-and-legislation, particularly in the areas of redistricting, voting access, labor regulations, and environmental law, are likely to be significant in Wisconsin's general news due to the influence of the Wisconsin Supreme Court, now under the 10-year tenure of Justice Susan Crawford.
- Considering the recent political developments, including the new term of Justice Susan Crawford and the forthcoming elections for the state's highest court, the landscape of Wisconsin's politics, particularly in relation to the Supreme Court, remains a subject of interest for those following policy-and-legislation.
