MADISON, Wis. — Today, new reporting highlights the stark contrast between Maria Lazar’s extreme anti-abortion stance in which she believes the decision to overturn Roe v. Wade was “very wise”, with Judge Chris Taylor’s long career of championing reproductive freedoms. While Maria Lazar dodges questions on whether or not she would further restrict abortion access in Wisconsin and touts endorsements from far-right anti-abortion groups, Chris Taylor’s record as a lawmaker and judge remains consistent: She is committed to protecting the freedoms of all Wisconsinites. 

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Where Wisconsin’s Supreme Court candidates stand on abortion
By: Mary Spicuzza and Madeline Heim | 3/31/26

It’s hard to imagine two people further apart on the issue of abortion than Wisconsin Supreme Court candidates Chris Taylor and Maria Lazar.

Taylor, a state appeals court judge from Madison and the liberal candidate in the race, previously worked as law and policy director for Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin – a major reproductive health care provider and abortion rights group – where she said she “defended constitutional rights and advocated for health care access for all and for each individual to make their own personal, private health care decisions.”

Taylor has praised last year’s state Supreme Court decision invalidating Wisconsin’s 1849 law that banned abortions in nearly every situation.

Lazar, a state appeals court judge from Waukesha County and the conservative candidate in the race, personally opposes abortion but has said that she would uphold Wisconsin’s current 20-week abortion ban. She has called the U.S. Supreme Court decision overturning the landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade ruling that made abortion legal nationwide “very wise” because it sent the issue back to the states.

When asked about the state Supreme Court ruling striking down Wisconsin’s 1849 abortion ban, Lazar said, “I don’t know that I would have been in the majority on that case.”

The winner of the April 7 election will be elected to a 10-year term on the state’s highest court. Early voting started on March 24.

Liberals currently hold a 4-3 majority on the Supreme Court, and will maintain a majority on the court regardless of who wins. A Taylor victory in April would extend the liberal majority to 5-2, while a Lazar win would maintain the current 4-3 split.