Overview
- The two appeals judges faced off Thursday in their only televised debate, hosted statewide by WISN 12.
- They fought over abortion rights as Chris Taylor tied Maria Lazar to praise of Roe v. Wade’s reversal and Lazar rejected that, calling the state’s 20‑week limit settled law.
- Taylor warned that Lazar’s originalist approach could narrow recognition of rights, while Lazar said judges must stay independent and not act like lawmakers.
- The winner will replace Justice Rebecca Bradley on a court widely viewed as 4–3 liberal, a result that could keep that edge or expand it to 5–2.
- Turnout and undecided voters loom large, with reports showing only 218,095 absentee ballots returned by Wednesday and Election Day set for April 7.