A strong turnout by liberal voters carried Milwaukee County Judge Rebecca Dallet to a convincing Wisconsin Supreme Court win over conservative Sauk County Judge Michael Screnock, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports. After a January state Senate win for Democrats and other recent national wins, the Supreme Court victory for liberals immediately raised talk of a blue wave this fall. “Tonight’s results show we are at risk of a Blue Wave in Wisconsin,” tweeted Gov. Scott Walker, calling on Republicans to “share our positive story.”
It was the first time in 23 years that a liberal candidate who wasn’t an incumbent won a seat on the high court. “I attribute it to Wisconsin voters standing up to special interests,” said Dallet. With 88 percent of wards reporting, Dallet led Screnock 56 percent to 44 percent. Screnock did well in GOP strongholds but did not get enough votes elsewhere to offset Dallet’s massive success in metropolitan areas. The election will swing conservative control of the court from a comfortable 5-2 to a narrow 4-3. Dallet will be seated in August for a 10-year term. She was endorsed by former Vice President Joe Biden.