Conservative Wisconsin Supreme Court justice says spending in judicial races is ’cause for concern’

Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Brian Hagedorn, a member of the court’s conservative minority, said he was concerned about record-setting spending in judicial races during an interview Aug. 3 on WISN-TV’s “Upfront.”

His interview aired two days after Susan Crawford, the seven-member court’s newest liberal justice, was sworn in on Aug. 1 with Hagedorn in attendance. Crawford’s win maintained the court’s 4-3 liberal majority, which has been in place since 2023.

Hagedorn also talked about the court’s culture and what he’ll do when his term ends. Here are key takeaways from his interview on “Upfront.”

Judicial spending appears to be a ‘vote of no-confidence in the court’

Spending in Crawford’s 2025 race against conservative Waukesha County Circuit Judge Brad Schimel for the seat vacated by a retiring justice exceeded a record-breaking $100 million.

Billionaire Elon Musk, a close advisor to President Donald Trump, spent heavily to support Schimel’s campaign, while Crawford’s bid garnered comparably large sums from a Democratic Party-led counter-initative called “The People v Elon Musk” and other deep-pocketed liberal donors like investor George Soros and Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker.

Asked about the record amounts, Hagedorn responded: “Why do people think this is a good use of their money? What do they think they are getting from this court?”

“I think it is in many respects a vote of no-confidence in this court — that this court is not going to be a place that’s just going to apply the law, at least all seven of us,” he added.

“It’s both sides that are pouring money into these races,” Hagedorn said. “But people increasingly see this court, and courts around the country, as an extension of the political branches. It is incumbent upon us to prove them wrong, to disabuse them of that notion.”

Hagedorn says clashes between state Supreme Court justices are evidence of ‘culture issue’

Asked to address critics who believe the Supreme Court has become too politically divided, Hagedorn responded that such divisions predate the terms of the court’s sitting justices.

“The court has been in some state of dysfunction for 30 years,” Hagedorn said, later adding: “It’s a culture issue.”

In past courts, previous Wisconsin justices have accused each other of shouting, slamming doors and being physically threatening. One high-profile interaction even led to a police investigation.

Hagedorn said he believes the court has a responsibility to earn the public’s trust in its professionalism. He said he has made an “intentional effort” to attend events in support of his colleagues, including members of the court’s liberal bloc.

He recently attended Crawford’s inauguration, which conservative Justice Rebecca Bradley, who campaigned for Crawford’s opponent, skipped.

Hagedorn ‘inclined to’ run for re-election

Asked about his future plans, Hagedorn suggested that he is interested in seeking another term.

“I’m proud of my record and proud of where I stand at the moment,” Hagedorn said. “I’m inclined to (seek another term), but we’ve got three important races between now and then.”

His term ends in July 2029.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Wisconsin justice Brian Hagedorn decries spending in judicial races