Bradley was a reliable conservative voice on the court, dissenting on a July ruling that found an 1849 Wisconsin law did not ban abortions. Another case, brought by Planned Parenthood that seeks to make abortion a constitutional right, has been accepted by the court, but a date for oral arguments has not been set.

Liberals are eyeing the open-seat race next spring as an opportunity to expand their 4-3 majority on the battleground state's high court.