1973 Wisconsin Supreme Court election
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April 3, 1973
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| Elections in Wisconsin |
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The 1973 Wisconsin Supreme Court election was held on Tuesday, April 3, 1973 to elect a justice to a full ten-year seat the Wisconsin Supreme Court. Incumbent justice Bruce F. Beilfuss won re-election to a second term.
Candidates
[edit]- Robert J. Beaudry, Milwaukee County-based appellate and trial attorney; counsel to the Showmen's League of America; former chair of the Milwaukee County Democratic Party (1962); perennial candidate[a]; campaign manager of Michael T. Sullivan's successful 1953 Circuit Court campaign[1]
- Bruce F. Beilfuss, incumbent justice[1]
Campaign
[edit]It has been very rare in Wisconsin for an incumbent Supreme Court justice to be unseated for re-election. However, there was recent memory of such an occurrence in 1967.[1] At the time Beilfuss, regarded to be the court's swing vote,[3] was one of only two members of the court who had first joined the court by election (as opposed to gubernatorial appointment).[4]
Beaudry had been censured by the Supreme Court in December 1971 over his conduct in relation to the drafting of a (successfully-challenged) will which had named him as the primary beneficiary of one of his clients.[5] Beilfuss was one of several justices who had voted to censure him.[6]
Beaudry used his campaign as an opportunity to advocate for probate reform, no-fault auto insurance, and increased state supervision of the courts.[1][7] To the latter aspect, he argued that the Wisconsin Bar Association (the professional association of attorneys) should have less influence upon the Wisconsin State Board of Bar Commissioners (the state board to review grievances against attorneys).[5]
Beilfuss voiced his support for legislative reform to simplify probate laws, and argued that the state courts themselves could sufficiently act to reform probate laws (as they were only equipped to remedy the systemic issues in a piece-meal fashion). Beilfuss was endorsed for re-election by State Senator David Berger, a Democrat who was the author of proposed probate reform legislation.[6]
Beilfuss took a position in support of intermediate appellate court system being created in Wisconsin, but opposed the recommendation by a state task force that such a court should have appointed (not elected) judges.[6]
Results
[edit]After winning re-election, Beilfuss characterized his victory as coming from voters' appreciation of his judicial experience. Beilfuss complimented his opponent's political passion, but also opined that it had disadvantaged Beaudry's pursuit of a judicial seat. Beilfuss opined, "in a judicial office, your function requires a different campaign approach [than other offices]."[5]
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| General election (April 3, 1973) | |||||
| Nonpartisan | Bruce F. Beilfuss (incumbent) | 634,831 | 67.64 | +2.89pp | |
| Nonpartisan | Robert J. Beaudry | 303,721 | 32.36 | ||
| Plurality | 331,110 | 35.28 | |||
| Total votes | 938,552 | 100 | |||
Notes
[edit]- ^ unsuccessful 1950 candidate for West Allis city attorney; unsuccessful 1952 candidate for Milwaukee County district attorney; unsuccessful candidate for Milwaukee County supervisor; unsuccessful candidate for Milwaukee County municipal judge[1]; unsuccessful 1963 candidate for chair of the Wisconsin Democratic Party[2]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e "Two Vie For Supreme Court Post". Kenosha News. March 28, 1973. p. 12. Retrieved April 11, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Dem Candidate Says Opponent Lacks Interest". Green Bay Press-Gazette. United Press International. June 14, 1963. p. 7. Retrieved April 12, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Pommer, Matt (April 6, 1977). "Callow Tops Landry for Supreme Court". The Capital Times. p. 2. Retrieved April 16, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Justice Beilfuss Will Again Run". West Bend News. December 28, 1972. p. 2. Retrieved April 17, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b c "Korpela Loses Another Race". Ironwood Daily Globe. April 3, 1973. p. 15. Retrieved April 11, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b c Hauda, William E. (March 29, 1973). "Probate Reform Controversy To Be Indirect Issue In Judicial Race". Chippewa Herald-Telegram. United Press International. p. 3 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Seymour, Peter B. (March 29, 1973). "High Court Race Tests Anti-Lawyer Tide". The Capital Times. p. 3. Retrieved January 4, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Theobald, H. Rupert; Robbins, Patricia V., eds. (1973). "Addenda". The State of Wisconsin 1973 Blue Book (Report). Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau. p. 873. Retrieved January 4, 2024.
- ^ Theobald, H. Rupert, ed. (1964). "Elections in Wisconsin". The Wisconsin Blue Book 1964 (Report). Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau. p. 769. Retrieved January 4, 2024.