Liberal Wisconsin Supreme Court candidate concedes

The liberal candidate for Wisconsin’s Supreme Court conceded Wednesday after results from last week’s election showed her 6,000 votes behind her conservative opponent.

Lisa Neubauer said in a statement that she called Brian Hagedorn to wish him the best in his new role.

“I want you to know that I’m deeply proud of the way we ran this campaign, and I’m deeply grateful for your work, your energy, and your commitment,” she wrote. “I will continue my service on the Court of Appeals and together, we will make Wisconsin stronger.”

{mosads}Neubauer’s concession to Hagedorn means the court’s conservative majority will increase from 4-3 to 5-2. Hagedorn will join the court in August.

The conservative judge’s tight win has been pointed to by Democrats and Republicans alike that Wisconsin will continue to be a hotly contested state in 2020.

The tight race came after incumbent Gov. Scott Walker (R) lost his reelection race by just over a point and President Trump carried the state by just under a point in 2016.

Trump congratulated Hagedorn for his win, saying it was a good sign for Republicans in Wisconsin.

“Congratulations to Brian Hagedorn on his big surprise win over a well funded Liberal Democrat in the Great State of Wisconsin for a very important Supreme Court seat,” the president tweeted April 5.

“Republicans are producing big for Wisconsin!” 

Congratulations to Brian Hagedorn on his big surprise win over a well funded Liberal Democrat in the Great State of Wisconsin for a very important Supreme Court seat. Republicans are producing big for Wisconsin!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 5, 2019