Wisconsin Supreme Court Race: Maria Lazar’s Political Independence Questioned
Maria Lazar, a candidate for the Wisconsin Supreme Court, claims to maintain political independence despite substantial expenditures on Republican consultants amounting to nearly $225,000.
Currently serving on the Wisconsin Court of Appeals, Lazar is vying to succeed retiring Justice Rebecca Bradley in the upcoming April 7 election. Though officially nonpartisan, Lazar is perceived as a conservative with the endorsement of the Wisconsin GOP.
Financial disclosures submitted to the Wisconsin Ethics Commission reveal that Lazar has directed $24,500 to Aspect Consulting from 2021 to 2026. This Middleton, WI-based firm aids candidates and officeholders in adhering to campaign finance regulations.
Aspect Consulting principal Lane Ruhland is listed as the primary contact for Lazar’s campaign. Ruhland, who rejoined the firm in 2021, was previously associated with it from 2015 to 2017. In 2020, Ruhland was part of an effort to place rapper Kanye West on Wisconsin’s presidential ballot, a move reportedly orchestrated by President Donald Trump and Republican operatives to pull votes from Joe Biden, as detailed by the New York Times.
According to Vice, Ruhland was responsible for submitting signatures to the Wisconsin Elections Commission to secure West’s candidacy, but failed to meet the deadline. Since then, West, a Trump ally, has faced backlash for making antisemitic remarks, including statements in favor of Adolf Hitler, as reported by NPR.
Ruhland’s previous roles include working with former Republican Governor Scott Walker, the Republican Party of Wisconsin, and the GOP-aligned Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce.
Between 2021 and 2026, Lazar allocated $198,500 to Rally Digital, a firm led by Matt Walker, son of the former governor, specializing in digital marketing and advertising services.
In 2019, Matt Walker considered a congressional run in Wisconsin’s fifth district, aspiring to be a “counter-voice” to New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
Lazar’s expenditures on Republican consultants contrast with her public declarations of political neutrality. Earlier this year, at a meet-and-greet, she stated, “I’ve never been a member of any political party. I’ve never put up a sign for a political party, person, done anything at all. I don’t think it’s appropriate. Even when I worked at the Department of Justice, I felt everyone needed to think that and know that I was fair and impartial.”
Lazar has also criticized her opponent, Chris Taylor, a former state legislator, suggesting that his background could lead to judicial bias.
Lazar’s campaign is backed by every Republican member of Wisconsin’s Congressional delegation.
—
Read More Kitchen Table News
