A conservative Wisconsin Supreme Court justice said Thursday he will not participate in a pending case that will determine whether tens of thousands of public sector workers regain collective bargaining rights that were taken away by a 2011 law.

Susan Crawford and Brad Schimel bring their political histories — and partisan backers —to the race for the Wisconsin Supreme Court.

Both campaigns are trying to use the issue to define Brad Schimel, the former Republican attorney general and a current Waukesha County judge.

The Republican-controlled Wisconsin Legislature has asked that a liberal state Supreme Court justice step aside in a pending case that seeks to overturn a 2011 law that effectively ended collective bargaining for most state workers.

The Wisconsin Supreme Court general election set to be held in April will determine ideological control of the court.

Liberal Supreme Court candidate Susan Crawford came under fire for participating in a "donor advisory briefing" with Democrats earlier this month.

The liberal candidate for the Wisconsin Supreme Court participated in a briefing with Democratic donors billed as a “chance to put two more House seats in play.”