Dane County Circuit Court Judge Susan Crawford has been elected to a 10-year term on the Wisconsin Supreme Court, defeating Waukesha County Circuit Court Judge Brad Schimel in the April 1 election. The race attracted substantial national attention and was the most expensive state Supreme Court race in U.S. history.
Justice-elect Crawford has served on the Dane County Circuit Court since 2018. Before becoming a judge, she worked in private practice and as chief legal counsel for former Governor Jim Doyle. She also held appointed positions in several state agencies and served as an assistant attorney general at the Wisconsin Department of Justice.
Justice-elect Crawford grew up in Chippewa Falls and earned her undergraduate degree in English from Lawrence University, later obtaining a master’s degree in English from Indiana University. She graduated from the University of Iowa College Of Law in 1994. She and her husband live in Madison and have two adult children.
Justice-elect Crawford will be sworn in on August 1, joining the seven-member court as its newest justice. She will take the seat of retiring Justice Ann Walsh Bradley, who is set to leave the bench on July 31 after nearly three decades of service.
“I am truly honored by the trust the people of Wisconsin have placed in me to serve on our Supreme Court,” said Justice-elect Crawford. “I look forward to working with my fellow justices on the Court and extend my deep gratitude to Chief Justice Ann Walsh Bradley for her extraordinary 30-year legacy of service.”
Justice-elect Crawford's election marks the beginning of six consecutive years with a seat on the Wisconsin Supreme Court on the ballot.
Third Branch eNews is an online monthly newsletter of the Director of State Courts Office. If you are interested in contributing an article about your department’s programs or accomplishments, contact your department head. Information about judicial retirements and judicial obituaries may be submitted to: Sara.Foster@wicourts.gov