Unapologetically Happy About Justice Janet Elect

Guests: Joe Zepecki, Greg Bach

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Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Elect Janet Protasietwicz

Kristin, Jane, Greg Bach, and Democratic Strategist Joe Zapecki join the show to debrief all of the things from Tuesday’s election.

Recap:

Wisconsin voters elect liberal Judge Janet Protasiewicz to a 10-year term on the state’s Supreme Court.

• Her win over conservative former Justice Dan Kelly means Wisconsin’s high court flips to a 4-3 liberal majority for the first time in 15 years. The race made history as the most expensive judicial election ever, with more than $40 million in spending. It all comes as the Wisconsin Supreme Court’s expected to weigh in on the state’s 1849 abortion ban soon. Protasiewicz, who openly supported abortion access, is expected to help reverse the ban. The court could also decide on cases connected to voter ID laws and redistricting. But the liberal majority could be short-lived, with a justice’s term set to expire in 2025. In the meantime, Protasiewicz said the state’s “taking a step forward to a better and brighter future.” Kelly acknowledged his loss and wished Wisconsin luck, saying the state’s “going to need it.”

Resources

• Janet Protasiewicz takes high-stakes Supreme Court election, flipping Wisconsin court’s balance of power
• Liberals Win Control of Wisconsin Supreme Court Ahead of Abortion Case (Washington Post)