Wisconsin’s most outspoken conservative Justice, Rebecca Bradley, is calling it quits in 2026. After years of controversial rulings and strong opinions, what truly prompted her departure? Some say it’s the changing tide of the court, others point to political ambition. What do you think this means for Wisconsin’s future judicial landscape?

Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Rebecca Bradley has announced she will not seek re-election in 2026, marking a significant development for the state’s highest court and signaling the potential conclusion of a contentious conservative tenure.

Justice Bradley’s time on the bench has been characterized by several high-profile and controversial decisions, including her widely criticized comparison of public health “safe-at-home” orders during the global pandemic to the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II.

In her announcement, Bradley cited concerns about the court’s alleged shift toward “judicial activism” and “bitter partisanship,” asserting that her “best path to rebuild the conservative movement” lies outside her current judicial role.

However, her apprehension regarding the court’s power and partisanship appears to have emerged primarily after conservatives lost their majority in 2023, a shift that curtailed their ability to consistently enact hard-right policies, such as striking down Democratic Governor Tony Evers’ public health orders or upholding gerrymandered legislative maps.

The ideological balance of the court began to shift with Justice Janet Protasiewicz’s victory in 2023, followed by progressive candidate Susan Crawford’s win in 2025. These electoral outcomes effectively broke the conservative stronghold, transforming the court’s dynamic and leading to what Justice Bradley describes as an “alarming shift.”

The article also highlights the substantial financial influence in recent Wisconsin judicial elections, particularly Elon Musk’s significant contributions to conservative candidates, which Justice Bradley did not outwardly criticize despite her expressed concerns about partisanship and political gamesmanship.

Bradley’s stated desire to “rebuild the conservative movement” outside the court raises questions about the appropriate role of a sitting justice, who is fundamentally tasked with applying laws fairly and impartially rather than advancing a political agenda.

Furthermore, her decision not to run for re-election could also be influenced by the challenging electoral landscape for conservatives in Wisconsin, who have struggled to win state Supreme Court seats since 2019, experiencing significant losses in recent races despite considerable financial backing.

Looking ahead, it is widely speculated that Justice Bradley, known for her sharp political acumen and conservative alignment, will likely find a prominent position elsewhere, possibly a federal judgeship or another influential role that aligns with her stated goal of advancing right-wing policies.