EMILY’s List, a major political group that looks to elect Democratic women who support abortion rights, announced on Thursday that it’s endorsing Dane County Judge Susan Crawford in the Wisconsin Supreme Court election.
“EMILYs List is proud to endorse Judge Susan Crawford for the Wisconsin state Supreme Court,” EMILY’s List President Jessica Mackler said in a statement, which was first shared with The Hill.
“Judge Crawford has the experience of a former prosecutor and a judge to ensure the rights and fundamental freedoms of Wisconsinites are protected,” she continued. “As the fight continues to protect abortion access across the nation, it is imperative that we elect fair and impartial judges to state supreme courts. We are thrilled to support her in this election and look forward to holding the majority on the bench.”
Crawford is running against former Wisconsin Attorney General Brad Schimel (R) for a seat on the state’s highest court to replace retiring Justice Ann Walsh Bradley. Democrats have coalesced around Crawford while Republicans have coalesced around Schimel, though the state Supreme Court race is technically nonpartisan.
The state Supreme Court has a 4-3 liberal tilt, but with Bradley’s retirement, it brings the court back to an even 3-3 split.
Though the endorsement from EMILY’s List may not be surprising — Crawford has previously represented Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin and has knocked Schimel over reproductive access — the endorsement is a nod to the fact that major political groups are getting involved in what used to be sleepy judicial elections.
Abortion was a motivating issue in 2023, the last time the Wisconsin Supreme Court had an open seat up for grabs. Liberal Justice Janet Protasiewicz, who voiced support for abortion access on the campaign trail, won the seat that spring, flipping partisan control of the state’s highest court for the first time in 15 years.
The court is now weighing a case over the state’s 1849 law, which essentially bans all abortions in the state after the overturning of Roe v. Wade.
