The 1995 Wisconsin Supreme Court election was held on April 4, 1995 to elect a justice to the Wisconsin Supreme Court for a ten-year term. The Incumbent justice, Chief Justice Nathan Heffernan, retired after nearly 31 years on the court. Although the Wisconsin Supreme Court justices are considered nonpartisan, Heffernan was identified as a liberal and voted with other liberals on the court.[1] Wisconsin circuit court judge Ann Walsh Bradley (a liberal) defeated fellow circuit court judge N. Patrick Crooks (a conservative).

Primary election

Candidates

Advanced

Eliminated in primary

Declined

Primary campaign

Bradley, a liberal with bipartisan support, attempted to maintain a level of political independence in her campaign. She criticized Crooks' campaign for emphasizing his endorsements from Republican governor Tommy Thompson and members of his administration.[5] In response, Bradley touted her own set of bipartisan support and endorsements, which included former Democratic governor Tony Earl and Sue Ann Thompson – Tommy Thompson's wife. In addition, Bradley criticized attempts to polarize the race along party lines, arguing that the most qualified person should be the one to get the nomination.[5]

Primary results

Primary results by county:
  Bradley
  •   Bradley—30–40%
  •   Bradley—40–50%
  •   Bradley—50–60%
  •   Bradley—60–70%
  •   Bradley—70–80%
  •   Bradley—80–90%
  Crooks
  •   Crooks—30–40%
  •   Crooks—40–50%
  •   Crooks—60–70%
  Wedemeyer
  •   Wedemeyer—30–40%
1995 Wisconsin Supreme Court primary election[6]
Candidate Votes %
Ann Walsh Bradley 131,889 38.85%
N. Patrick Crooks 88,913 26.19%
Ted E. Wedemeyer Jr. 64,668 19.05%
Patience D. Roggensack 41,303 12.16%
William A. Pangman 12,753 3.76%
Total votes 339,526 100.0%

General election

General campaign

After advancing to the general election, Bradley reiterated her desire to see the race politicized by her opponents.[7] During the campaign, Bradley was identified as a liberal and had gained the endorsements of several liberal judges in the state. During the campaign, Crooks identified himself as a conservative, and was aligned with Republicans, who worked on his campaign.[7]

Bradley was endorsed by the outgoing justice, Heffernan.[8]

The following year, the editorial board of the La Crosse Tribune summarized the general election campaign,

Results

1995 Wisconsin Supreme Court general election[10]
Candidate Votes % ±
Ann Walsh Bradley 514,588 54.82% N/A
N. Patrick Crooks 424,110 45.18% N/A
Majority 90,478 9.64%
Total votes 938,698 100.0%

Aftermath

Bradley would later be re-elected in 2005 and 2015. Crooks would later join the court after winning election in 1996; later being re-elected in 2006. Roggensack also later joined the court after winning election in 2003; later being re-elected in 2003. Wedemeyer ran for the court once again in 1996, again failing to advance past the primary.

During her campaign, Bradley had accepted the endorsement and a financial contribution from the political committee of the Wisconsin Education Association Council (WEAC). This motivated her, in her first year on the court, to recuse herself from a case involving the expansion of school choice to religious schools (which WEAC was opposed to).[11]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Ball, Alan (April 5, 2023). "A Liberal High-Water Mark?". Retrieved March 30, 2025.
  2. ↑ Thayer, Kelly C. (April 21, 1994). "Bradley announces candidacy". Wausau Daily Herald. p. 1. Retrieved April 12, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. ↑ "Seven Vie for Seat on State Supreme Court; Candidates Focus On Variety of Issues". Chippewa Herald-Telegram. The Associated Press. February 3, 1996. p. 7A. Retrieved April 16, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. ↑ "Wedenmeyer and Bugge Best for High Court". The Capital Times. February 4, 1996. p. 12. Retrieved April 16, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. 1 2 Miller, Cliff (December 19, 1994). "Justice candidate wants politics out of race". The Post-Crescent. p. 3. Retrieved April 12, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. ↑ Barish, Lawrence S., ed. (1995). "Elections in Wisconsin". State of Wisconsin 1995-1996 Blue Book (Report). Madison, Wisconsin: State of Wisconsin. p. 879. Retrieved March 30, 2025.
  7. 1 2 Segall, Cary (February 19, 1995). "Bradley: three long years stressing judicial credentials". Wisconsin State Journal. p. 10. Retrieved April 12, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. ↑ Segall, Cary (March 7, 1996). "6 Big Names Back Crooks; Fine Calls That "Worthless"". Wisconsin State Journal. p. 3B. Retrieved April 16, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. ↑ "Crooks Solid Pick for Supreme Court". La Crosse Tribune. March 17, 1996. p. E-2. Retrieved April 16, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  10. ↑ Barish, Lawrence S., ed. (1995). "Elections in Wisconsin". State of Wisconsin 1995-1996 Blue Book (Report). Madison, Wisconsin: State of Wisconsin. pp. 883-884. Retrieved March 30, 2025.
  11. ↑ Segall, Cary (March 10, 1996). "Fine, Crooks Blast Each Other At Debate; Supreme Court Race: Contributions, Endorsements Key Debating Point". La Crosse Tribune. The Wisconsin Journal. p. C-8. Retrieved April 16, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1995_Wisconsin_Supreme_Court_election