Wisconsin Supreme Court Candidate Maria Lazar’s Claims of Independence Scrutinized
Maria Lazar, a current judge on the Wisconsin Court of Appeals, is under the spotlight as she campaigns for a seat on the Wisconsin Supreme Court. Despite her assertions of political neutrality, Lazar’s financial ties to Republican consultants have drawn attention.
The upcoming April 7 election will determine who succeeds retiring Justice Rebecca Bradley. Although the race is labeled as nonpartisan, Lazar is perceived as a conservative candidate and has garnered the support of the Wisconsin GOP.
Financial disclosures to the Wisconsin Ethics Commission reveal that Lazar has paid approximately $24,500 to Aspect Consulting from 2021 to 2026. Based in Middleton, WI, the firm specializes in helping political figures comply with campaign finance regulations.
Aspect Consulting’s principal, Lane Ruhland, is listed as the contact for Lazar’s campaign. Ruhland, who returned to the firm in 2021, previously played a role in attempting to get rapper Kanye West on Wisconsin’s presidential ballot in 2020. This effort, linked to Donald Trump and Republican operatives, aimed to draw votes from Democratic candidate Joe Biden, according to a report.
Vice reported that Ruhland was responsible for submitting the necessary signatures to the Wisconsin Elections Commission but failed to meet the deadline. West, an ally of Trump, has faced backlash for antisemitic remarks.
Ruhland has also worked with former Republican Gov. Scott Walker, the Republican Party of Wisconsin, and Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce, a GOP-aligned group.
Lazar has additionally spent $198,500 on Rally Digital, owned by Matt Walker, son of the former governor. The firm offers digital marketing services. In 2019, Matt Walker considered a congressional run to counter voices like New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, as noted in a report.
These expenditures contrast Lazar’s professed independence. At a recent voter event, 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, for previous political roles, suggesting they compromise judicial impartiality.
Her campaign is backed by all Republican members of Congress from Wisconsin.
—
Read More Kitchen Table News
