Wisconsin voters head to the polls Tuesday to decide a pivotal Supreme Court race that could reshape the state’s judicial landscape for years to come, while Republicans fight to hold onto a congressional seat in Georgia previously occupied by Marjorie Taylor Greene.

Wisconsin Court Battle Takes Center Stage

The race between Democratic-backed Chris Taylor and Republican-backed Maria Lazar will determine the Wisconsin Supreme Court’s ideological balance. Taylor, an appeals court judge and former state legislator who previously worked for Planned Parenthood, holds significant fundraising advantages over her opponent. A Marquette University poll showed Taylor leading among likely voters, though many remain undecided. If successful, she would expand the liberal majority to 5-2, placing conservatives out of reach for years.

Lazar, who served in former Republican Governor Scott Walker’s administration, frames the contest as a choice between judicial experience and political activism. She acknowledges facing an uphill battle but emphasizes her commitment to independent jurisprudence. The race follows last year’s Wisconsin Supreme Court election, which became the most expensive state judicial race in history after Elon Musk poured millions into the contest when he served as a Trump adviser.

Trump Factor Looms Large

Democrats aim to capitalize on growing disapproval of President Trump’s performance. The Marquette poll revealed 56 percent of Wisconsin registered voters disapprove of Trump’s job performance, the highest figure recorded during his two terms. Democratic and Democratic-backed candidates have won 18 of the last 23 statewide races in Wisconsin, despite Trump narrowly carrying the state in both 2016 and 2024. Former President Barack Obama endorsed Taylor, while former Attorney General Eric Holder campaigned for her last week.

Georgia Runoff Holds National Implications

In northwest Georgia’s conservative 14th Congressional District, Republicans remain favored to retain Greene’s former seat in a runoff election. Democrats hope to demonstrate competitiveness in the traditionally Republican stronghold. Both races provide critical indicators of the political environment heading into fall’s midterm elections, offering insights into voter sentiment in battleground states and conservative districts nationwide. Taylor emphasized the stakes, stating voters need a strong court willing to resist federal overreach and protect constitutional rights and freedoms.