The primary election for a seat on the Wisconsin Supreme Court will be held on Tuesday, February 15. Incumbent Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice David T. Prosser, Jr. is being challenged by three candidates: Joanne Kloppenburg, an assistant attorney general; Marla Stephens, director of the state public defender’s appellate division, and Joel Winnig, a Madison attorney.

The two candidates that receive the most votes in the February primary election will advance to the general election on April 5.

The race is considered to be very important by many groups. Many of most important recent decisions issued by the Court have been decided 4-3, or 5-2 in some instances, with Justice Prosser in the majority. If Justice Prosser were unseated, his successor could considerably alter the makeup of the court.

For more information about the race and the Wisconsin Supreme Court, please see the Wisconsin Civil Justice Council’s 2011 Guide to the Wisconsin Supreme Court.