Why state supreme court races may 'set a new record' in 2024

When liberal Janet Protasiewicz enjoyed a double-digit victory over far-right MAGA Republican Dan Kelly in a Wisconsin Supreme Court race in April 2023, her supporters hailed it as a major win for abortion rights and a defeat for Christian nationalism. Protasiewicz campaigned aggressively on reproductive rights, and she now sits on Wisconsin's highest judicial body.

This year, according to The New Republic's Grace Segers, over 30 states are having supreme court races in the U.S. Abortion is a major issue in many of them, and Segers reports that the amount of money going into these races "may set a new record" in 2024.

"Ever since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade two years ago," Segers explains in an article published on May 23, "races for state supreme courts have garnered increased attention and money, becoming the new battleground for abortion rights and access. This year will be no different, as 33 states will hold elections for seats on their high courts."

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Segers notes that although many of these races are technically nonpartisan, the major political parties are contributing to them heavily.

Protasiewicz didn't run as a Democrat in Wisconsin last year, but Democrats all around the U.S. contributed heavily to her campaign.

"Party apparatuses and outside organizations also get involved, pouring money into the races," Segers explains. "The Brennan Center found that 2021 and 2022 were record-breaking years in this regard: More than $100 million was spent in judicial races in 17 states. The high-profile Wisconsin race in 2023, won by Judge Janet Protasiewicz, saw upward of $50 million in spending. But 2024 may set a new record."

Segers continues, "This Monday, (May 20), two liberal organizations announced that they have linked up to invest $5 million in high court races in key states. The National Democratic Redistricting Committee, which is dedicated to ensuring congressional and legislative maps are competitive for Democrats, and Planned Parenthood Votes, the political arm of the organization, will fund digital and canvassing operations to get out the vote for candidates in Arizona, Michigan, Montana, North Carolina, Ohio, and Texas."

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Read Grace Segers' full report for The New Republic at this link.