1973 Wisconsin Supreme Court election

none April 2026 April 2026 1973 Wisconsin Supreme Court election Wisconsin presidential no 1970 1974 April 3, 1973 Bruce F. Beilfuss (Wisconsin Supreme Court justice) portrait, circa 1973 (3x4).jpg Bruce F. Beilfuss c0c0c0 634,831 67.64% Robert J. Beaudry (1973 candidate for Wisconsin Supreme Court) illustration.jpg Robert J. Beaudry c0c0c0 303,721 32.36% Justice Bruce F. Beilfuss Bruce F. Beilfuss 1963 Wisconsin Supreme Court election 1963 1983 Wisconsin Supreme Court election 1983 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 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 candidateunsuccessful 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; unsuccessful 1963 candidate for chair of the Wisconsin Democratic PartyDem Candidate Says Opponent Lacks Interest https://www.newspapers.com/image/188920119 Newspapers.com subscription Green Bay Press-Gazette United Press International April 12, 2026 7 June 14, 1963; campaign manager of Michael T. Sullivan's successful 1953 Circuit Court campaignTwo Vie For Supreme Court Post https://www.newspapers.com/image/597589247 Newspapers.com subscription Kenosha News April 11, 2026 12 March 28, 1973 Bruce F. Beilfuss, incumbent justice Campaign 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. At the time Beilfuss, regarded to be the court's swing vote,Pommer Matt Callow Tops Landry for Supreme Court https://www.newspapers.com/image/519291984 Newspapers.com subscription The Capital Times April 16, 2026 2 April 6, 1977 was one of only two members of the court who had first joined the court by election (as opposed to gubernatorial appointment).Justice Beilfuss Will Again Run https://www.newspapers.com/image/1035397807 Newspapers.com subscription West Bend News April 17, 2026 2 December 28, 1972 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. Beilfuss was one of several justices who had voted to censure him.Hauda William E. Probate Reform Controversy To Be Indirect Issue In Judicial Race https://www.newspapers.com/image/417321979 Newspapers.com subscription Chippewa Herald-Telegram United Press International 3 March 29, 1973 Beaudry used his campaign as an opportunity to advocate for probate reform, no-fault auto insurance, and increased state supervision of the courts. https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-capital-times-judicial-election/138015368/ High Court Race Tests Anti-Lawyer Tide The Capital Times March 29, 1973 3 Peter B. Seymour January 4, 2024 Newspapers.com 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). 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. 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. Results 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]."Korpela Loses Another Race https://www.newspapers.com/image/55090096 Newspapers.com subscription Ironwood Daily Globe April 11, 2026 15 April 3, 1973 1973 Wisconsin Supreme Court electionhttps://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/ZKQZSCWLXXUFN8R The State of Wisconsin 1973 Blue Book 1973 Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau Theobald H. Rupert Robbins Patricia V. Addenda 873 January 4, 2024 https://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/XF6R5VAIXPXFS8Y The Wisconsin Blue Book 1964 1964 Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau Theobald H. Rupert Elections in Wisconsin 769 January 4, 2024 | colspan="6" style="text-align:center;background-color: #e9e9e9;"| General election (April 3, 1973) Nonpartisan politician Bruce F. Beilfuss (incumbent) 634,831 67.64 +2.89pp Nonpartisan politician Robert J. Beaudry 303,721 32.36 331,110 35.28 938,552 100 Notes References Category:Wisconsin Supreme Court elections supreme court Wisconsin