Wisconsin Supreme Court Primary Field Likely Set

The primary field for Wisconsin’s Supreme Court race is likely set after three candidates filed nomination papers ahead of Tuesday’s deadline.

The candidates are Madison attorney Tim Burns, Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge Rebecca Dallet and Sauk County Circuit Court Judge Michael Screnock.

While the court is officially nonpartisan, Burns and Dallet are both supported by Democrats and Screnock is backed by Republicans.

Burns has been more outspoken about his liberal views, saying he was motivated to run for the court following President Donald Trump’s election in 2016.

Dallet is running a more traditional judicial campaign, stressing the need for judges to remain impartial.

Screnock was appointed to the bench by Republican Gov. Scott Walker, and as an attorney, he helped defend Walker’s signature collective bargaining law known as Act 10.

Dallet and Screnock turned in their nomination papers Friday. Burns turned his in Tuesday.

Assuming they all have enough valid signatures, they’ll square off in Wisconsin’s Feb. 20 primary. The top two vote-getters will advance to the April 3 general election.

One of them will replace outgoing Justice Michael Gableman, who is part of the court’s 5-2 conservative majority. Gableman was first elected in 2008, defeating incumbent Justice Louis Butler to tip the ideological balance of the court.

Editor’s Note: This story was updated at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2018, with original reporting from WPR.