Crucial Wisconsin Supreme Court Election Could Impact Abortion, Parental Rights

by Jeff Johnston | March 27, 2025 | Family

Wisconsin voters will decide between two candidates for the state Supreme Court on Tuesday, April 1, a pivotal election that will affect the ideological balance of the court.

Wisconsin Family Action (WFA) highlighted the importance of this election in a recent email, noting that the election will impact key issues like school choice, abortion and parental rights. The court also has a role in establishing congressional districts in the state.

Another important race on the ballot involves the election of the next State Superintendent of Public Instruction. Voters will also decide on a constitutional amendment to enshrine voter ID laws into the state’s constitution.

WFA President Daniel Degner told Daily Citizen the court is considering a major case that will decide whether children struggling with sexual identity confusion will be able to receive counseling to help them embrace their bodily, God-given sex.

He explained, saying,

“The Wisconsin Supreme Court is currently determining whether or not the Legislature can block executive mandates that limit licensed marriage and family counselors from affirming biological gender to children struggling with gender dysphoria.”

In addition, parental rights in education are at stake, as Degner told us,

“The Court will also likely determine whether or not school districts in Wisconsin can socially transition students’ “gender” without parental knowledge or consent. “

Degner also highlighted the court’s role in deciding the fate of pre-born children,

The current liberal court denied Wisconsin Family Action and other pro-life groups in Wisconsin to intervene on behalf of the unborn in a case awaiting a verdict that will determine if Wisconsin’s pre-Roe abortion ban is enforceable.
The Court is awaiting to hear a second case from Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin that would create a constitutional right to abortion under the constitutional rights to “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”

The race between Dane County Circuit Court Judge Susan Crawford and Waukesha County Circuit Court Judge Brad Schimel has received national attention, with total candidate spending expected to reach $100 million. Here are some of the groups endorsing and donating to the candidates.

Schimel, according to WFA and iVoterGuide’s candidate profile, has received endorsements from more conservative groups, like the National Rifle Association, the Milwaukee Police Association, Americans for Prosperity – Wisconsin, the Milwaukee Professional Firefighters Association and the Wisconsin Professional Police Association.

Ballotpedia lists large donations to Schimel coming from Elon Musk’s America PAC and Building America’s Future, as well as business owners like ABC supply owner Diane Hendricks and Ameritrade founder and Chicago Cubs co-owner Joe Ricketts.

Crawford is supported by liberal and pro-abortion groups such as Planned Parenthood Advocates of Wisconsin, Emily’s List (a pro-abortion political action committee), Indivisible (a major supporter and organizer of the Tesla protests), the Wisconsin Education Association Council and Wisconsin State AFL-CIO.

She’s also received an endorsement from the anti-faith Freedom From Religion Action Fund.

Large donations to Crawford listed on Ballotpedia include money from the progressive organization A Better Wisconsin Together and pro-abortion billionaires George Soros and J.B. Pritzker.

Degner said,

We say it every election, but it’s especially true for this one: Your vote makes a difference. Early voting is available in most municipalities through Friday.
Please make a plan to vote this week or on election day and encourage your friends and family to do so as well. Visit myvote.wi.gov for election information.

Related Articles and Resources

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