1973 Wisconsin Supreme Court election

• 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 candidate^[a]; campaign manager of Michael T. Sullivan's successful 1953 Circuit Court campaign^[1]
• Bruce F. Beilfuss, incumbent justice^[1]

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.^[1] At the time Beilfuss, regarded to be the court's swing vote,^[3] was one of only two members of the court who had first joined the court by election (as opposed to gubernatorial appointment).^[4]

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.^[5] Beilfuss was one of several justices who had voted to censure him.^[6]

Beaudry used his campaign as an opportunity to advocate for probate reform, no-fault auto insurance, and increased state supervision of the courts.^[1][7] 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).^[5]

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.^[6]

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.^[6]

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]."^[5]