The Democrat’s plans for 2024 and beyond just got thrown into chaos.
It’s panic time.
And this Supreme Court Justice’s retirement left Democrats speechless.
Democrats won a 4-3 majority on the Wisconsin State Supreme Court in last year’s judicial election.
That majority allowed Democrats to exercise the final say over voting procedures that map for state legislative districts, which the court forced to be redrawn to tilt the playing field in Democrat’s favor.
But now all that could get wiped out thanks to liberal Supreme Court Justice Ann Walsh Bradley announcing she plans to retire – meaning an election will be held next April to fill her seat.
“My decision has not come lightly,” Bradley said in announcing her retirement. “It is made after careful consideration and reflection. I can do the job well. I know I can win reelection, should I run. But it’s just time to pass the torch and bring fresh perspectives to the court.”
Republicans have already recruited a credible challenger – the former State Attorney General and sitting Waukesha County Circuit Court Judge Brad Schime – who will be able to raise the type of money to be competitive.
Upon Bradley’s announcement to retire, Democrats immediately jumped to rerunning the playbook from the 2023 judicial election – where Democrat Janet Protasiewicz swamped Republican Dan Kelly with tens of millions of dollars in attack ads on abortion.
“There’s no question that reproductive freedom and abortion bans in Wisconsin will be a central issue not just this fall, but also in the Supreme Court race next spring,” Wisconsin Democratic Party Chair Ben Wikler declared. “The far right is trying to take over the Supreme Court so that they can put the 1849 abortion ban into effect.”
“Justice Ann Walsh Bradley’s announcement this morning that she won’t be running for re-election next year is a reminder that Wisconsin is still only one bad election away from an ultra-right wing, abortion banning Supreme Court majority,” Wikler added.
The Biden campaign joined in the pile-on.
“As Donald Trump brags about overturning Roe and enabling extreme state abortion bans across the country, it’s clear that the surest way voters can protect their abortion rights in Wisconsin is to reelect President Joe Biden this November,” Biden campaign Wisconsin Communications Director Brianna Johnson stated.
But this strategy will only work if Republicans deploy the ostrich strategy and stick their heads in the sand.
Otherwise, Republicans can use the abortion issue to their advantage by focusing on the fact that Democrats want taxpayers to fund abortion with no restrictions – even if the baby survives an abortion procedure.
That’s how Donald Trump turned the tables on Hillary Clinton in 2016.
And it could work again if conservatives stay on message.