On Friday, Gov. Scott Walker announced appellate Judge Rebecca Bradley will take the place of the late Justice N. Patrick Crooks on the Wisconsin Supreme Court.
Crooks passed away last month.
Gov. Walker said, "(she has) truly lived up to her promise to be a judge that demonstrates unwavering commitment to the Constitution and the rule of law in every case that comes before her."
Walker previously appointed Bradley to the Milwaukee County Circuit Court in 2012, and the District I Court of appeals this past May. Bradley announced earlier this year that she intended to run for Crooks' seat next year. Crooks did not plan to seek reelection.
Bradley is considered a conservative. With her appointment, conservatives have a 5-2 majority on the court.
Bradley released a statement saying she is "deeply humbled and honored" by Friday's appointment.
Other candidates in the race also released statements, objecting to the appointment. Judge JoAnne Kloppenburg said a vote for Kloppenburg would be a vote "for the integrity of our judicial system and against partisan politics and special interests." A spokesman for Judge Joe Donald's campaign says Donald "is the only candidate in the race who represents a truly independent judiciary."
