On Thursday, October 23, 2025, the Wisconsin Examiner reported that Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Susan Crawford recused herself from the disciplinary case of former Justice Michael Gableman. This decision comes as Gableman faces potential suspension of his law license stemming from his conduct during a controversial review of the 2020 presidential election.

The Supreme Court is tasked with determining the length of any suspension and the amount of any monetary penalties Gableman may be responsible for paying.

Gableman had previously filed a motion requesting Crawford’s recusal, citing comments she made about him during her campaign earlier in the year. However, Crawford stated that her decision to step aside was not directly influenced by Gableman’s request. Instead, she explained that her recusal was due to the fact that the allegations against Gableman include his actions during an open records lawsuit in Dane County Circuit Court, presided over by Judge Frank Remington.

Crawford, who formerly served as a judge in that same circuit, indicated that she had likely been exposed to information and impressions related to Gableman’s conduct in Remington’s court that are not part of the official record in the disciplinary matter. She stated that this potential exposure to factual allegations beyond those Gableman has chosen to contest could compromise her impartiality, as she may possess “personal knowledge of disputed evidentiary facts concerning the proceeding.”

Because Crawford recused herself for reasons independent of Gableman’s request, she dismissed his motion as moot.

Gableman had also sought the recusal of Justice Rebecca Dallet, arguing that comments she made about his judicial record during her 2017 campaign for the Court would prevent her from impartially assessing his case. Dallet, however, denied the request. In her order, Dallet asserted that her comments from 2017 are unrelated to the actions Gableman took in 2021 and 2022, which form the basis of the disciplinary case.

Dallet refuted Gableman’s characterization of her comments as reflecting a view of his “moral turpitude” or his “professional judgment and character.” She maintained that a reasonable observer would not interpret them as such. Dallet clarified that her disagreement with Gableman’s actions as a candidate and justice between 2008 and 2018 is irrelevant to the question of whether he engaged in attorney misconduct in 2021 and 2022, and whether she can impartially adjudicate claims related to that alleged misconduct.

With Crawford’s recusal, the Wisconsin Supreme Court is now divided 3-3 between liberal and conservative justices. However, conservative Justice Brian Hagedorn has previously sided with the Court’s liberals in cases pertaining to the 2020 presidential election.

 

 

Source: Wisconsin Examiner