Politics | Wisconsin Wisconsin Election With Major Implications Is Decided Janet Protasiewicz beats Dan Kelly By Evann Gastaldo Posted Apr 4, 2023 10:07 PM CDT Copied Wisconsin Supreme Court candidates Republican-backed Dan Kelly and Democratic-supported Janet Protasiewicz participate in a debate Tuesday, March 21, 2023, in Madison, Wis. (AP Photo/Morry Gash) Janet Protasiewicz has been declared the winner in a closely-watched Wisconsin Supreme Court race against Dan Kelly. The win gives liberals control of the state's highest court for the first time in a decade and a half, and the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel says it "instantly reshap[es] politics" in the state, opening up the possibility that laws like the state's abortion ban could be overturned. (More on the potential implications here.) The race was called less than an hour after polls closed, and while statewide races are often within just one or two percentage points of each other, in this one Protasiewicz was leading 56% to 44% with 59% of votes counted, NBC News reports. Kelly refused to call her to concede. Read These Next A space capsule carrying ashes of 160 people crashed in the ocean. The death toll in the Texas floods has risen to 27, including 9 kids. A lesson in minding your own business ... at 30,000 feet. See the best BBQ cities in the US. Report an error