Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Janet Protasiewicz declined to recuse herself from two redistricting lawsuits on Friday after calling the state’s current Republican-drawn electoral district maps “rigged.”
Protasiewicz emphasized that calling the maps “rigged” was not an actual pledge of her goal in future cases.
“I tell you what my values are because I think the Supreme Court candidates should share with the community and the electorate what their values are,” Protasiewicz said in her statement.
Protasiewicz argued against Republicans’ claims by saying there is no precedent for a Wisconsin judge to recuse themselves solely because a political party contributed to their campaign.
Protasiewicz referenced the U.S Supreme Court’s decision to strike down a Minnesota rule that prohibited judicial candidates from announcing their positions on legal or political topics.
Her decision upholds the court’s 4-3 liberal majority on the redistricting cases but invites the possibility of an impeachment case against her.
Republican Assembly Speaker Robin Vos of Rochester has discussed impeachment in an August interview, telling WSAU-AM “you cannot have a person who runs for the court prejudging a case and being open about it”.
Republican lawmakers have told Protasiewicz to recuse herself from redistricting cases or face impeachment, pointing out the $10 million she received from the Democratic Party of Wisconsin. During her election campaign, Protasiewicz told the Cap Times she would recuse herself from cases brought forward by the Democratic Party.
Neither lawsuits challenging the maps were introduced by the Democratic Party.
Protasiewicz referenced the U.S Supreme Court’s decision to struck down a Minnesota rule that prohibited judicial candidates from announcing their positions on legal or political topics.
Vos did not immediately comment on Protasiewicz’s decision.
Ava Menkes is a former managing editor for The Daily Cardinal. She previously served as the state news editor. She has covered multiple elections, legislative redistricting, healthcare and campus news. She also led 2024 presidential coverage and a project on news deserts. She previously interned with Wisconsin Watch and Isthmus, and will report with The Nation in 2025 on foreign policy and immigration. Follow her on Twitter at @AvaMenkes.
