Conservative Justice Annette Ziegler Exits 2027 Race, Court Balance at Stake
Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Annette Ziegler says she will not run for reelection in 2027, opening another high-stakes battle over control of the state’s most powerful court.
The conservative justice announced Monday she plans to step down when her current term ends, after nearly three decades in Wisconsin’s judiciary. According to FOX6 Milwaukee and Wisconsin Public Radio, Ziegler said it was “the honor of a lifetime” to serve but that she now plans to spend more time with family.
Her decision creates a new open seat in 2027 — the fourth straight Wisconsin Supreme Court election without an incumbent on the ballot.
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The court currently holds a narrow 4–3 liberal majority, which emerged after a series of high-profile elections starting in 2023.
According to the Associated Press, future rulings on redistricting, abortion law, union rights, and school funding could hinge on the court’s ideological balance.
If liberals win upcoming races, their majority could expand significantly, reshaping the court’s direction for years.
The 2027 election is expected to draw national attention.
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