It’s Time to Restore Justice and Impartiality to Our Courts

Hello, Wisconsin. We need to draw a line in the sand and stop the destruction of our courts—especially our State Supreme Court. I’m Court of Appeals Judge Maria Lazar and I am asking for your vote to serve on the State Supreme Court in April, 2026. I am an independent, impartial judge who strives to follow the law and Constitution in every decision I make from the bench. It is time to restore that level of judicial dedication to the Court. That is precisely why I have decided to run for the open seat on the Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice.

I don’t know about you, but I am concerned about the direction of recent judicial elections. We are bombarded by political ads for a judicial position. My candidacy will be different. First, judicial ethics have been thrown out the window and candidates have openly campaigned on how they would rule in future cases. I realize you, the voters, want to hear that information, but ethics are important. As I campaign, I will tell you how I’ve ruled on important issues, how I make my decisions, and promise to never be swayed by political considerations. Trust me, when you will learn about my judicial practice you will be convinced I am the best candidate for this position.

Next, our judicial races have been inundated with political players. Not only are there political ads, but political parties have taken over. In my last judicial race for the Court of Appeals, my Governor-appointed opponent funded her race with massive influxes of out-of-state money. I have never been appointed to any position on the bench, having run for every judicial seat I have held. My opponent was initially appointed to the Dane County Circuit Court with no prior experience or will of the people.

I will be campaigning throughout our great state and will be talking to you, not just to partisan or political crowds. I will be in your neighborhoods, explaining the courts, how they actually matter to you, and why it’s critical to elect a thoughtful, smart, dedicated judge for our highest court. We must stop the politicization of our courts. We need to restore fair and impartial justice to this non-partisan third branch of our government. We need to elect someone with the courage to stand fast against this devastating trend and who will appreciate the grave honor they have been given by the people of Wisconsin every time they put on their black robe. There is only one candidate who fits that bill, and that is me.

This year the choice could not be more clear: I became a judge after a long legal career and my opponent has always been a politician first. I am not a member of a political party. My opponent spent years in the legislature. I am fair, independent, and impartial; that is what every justice should be. This is a campaign to restore justice to our Supreme Court, not to place a partisan politician into a robe and on a court that stands atop our judicial system. There is a reason we have three branches of government and that the courts stand apart.

After consulting with my family, friends, colleagues, and lots of prayer, I am joining this race and asking for your support, strength, and most importantly, your vote on April 7, 2026 for State Supreme Court Justice. Wisconsin deserves Justices who don’t seek the position to bolster their ego or to serve a political point of view. Wisconsin deserves a Justice who will remember that the sole purpose of the courts is to construe the Constitution and laws — as written by the representatives you the people elect. I am that judge and am seeking your vote to be that Justice.