Liberal Judge Susan Crawford enters race for Wisconsin Supreme Court with majority at stake

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — A liberal judge who previously represented Planned Parenthood in a case related to abortion access entered the race for Wisconsin Supreme Court on Monday, with majority control of the battleground state’s highest court on the line.

Dane County Circuit Judge Susan Crawford launched her campaign to succeed retiring liberal Justice Ann Walsh Bradley, citing her previous work for Planned Parenthood as the fight over a Wisconsin abortion ban is playing out in court.

Crawford joins conservative Waukesha County Circuit Judge Brad Schimel, a former Republican state attorney general who opposes abortion, as the only announced candidates. If more than two candidates get in the race, a Feb. 18 primary will take place. The winner in the April 1 election will be elected to a 10-year term.

Crawford, in a statement, framed the race as a battle for ideological control of the court.

“For the first time in years, we have a majority on the court focused on getting the facts right, following the law, and protecting our constitutional rights,” Crawford said. “We can’t risk having that progress reversed.”

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