(The Center Square) – It’s not the amount of spending in Wisconsin’s most recent Supreme Court races that concerns Justice Brian Hagedorn.
It’s what that spending shows.
Hagedorn, who is seen as the swing justice on on the court, was a guest on UpFront over the weekend. He said the record spending that Wisconsin saw during its past two court races, including the $100 million-plus in the spring 2025 race, is a “case for concern.”
“Money is a proxy for value,” Hagedorn explained. “You trade money for things that you value. Whether it’s a family vacation, or a car, or a house. But people also think they are also getting something of value when they donate to a candidate.”
Hagedorn said that is an even bigger concern than the amount of money spent.
“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,” Hagedorn added. “But people increasingly see this court, and courts around the country, as an extension of the political branches.”
Hagedorn said it is “incumbent upon” the Wisconsin Supreme Court to prove them wrong.
“People think they are getting something for [their financial support],” he said.
The latest tally from WisPolitics puts the price tag for the race between now-Justice Sussan Crawford and former Attorney General Brad Schimel at $115 million. That is the most expensive judicial race in American history.
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Before that race, Wisconsin’s 2023 race for the high court was the most expensive at $50 million.
Hagedorn is not up for re-election until 2029, but he said on UpFront that he intends to run again. He’s not guessing as to how much his race may eventually cost.