Citizens Defending Liberty v. Evers

WILL filed a new lawsuit challenging the Wisconsin Supplier Diversity Program, a procurement program that spends over $250 million each year purchasing supplies and services based on race. White, Middle Eastern, and most Asian small-business owners are ineligible for this program simply because of their race.

Recently, the Wisconsin Supreme Court confirmed that taxpayers can sue to stop the illegal programs funded with state tax dollars.

Apart from this program being illegal, it also drives up government spending. According to multiple studies, government contracting programs that grant preferences based on race increase costs to the taxpayers by sometimes more than 25%.

Our argument: As stated in the Supplier Diversity Program qualifications, only businesses owned by certain minorities can participate and receive preferential treatment. The Evers Administration’s classifications exclude businesses owned by whites, North Africans, and most Asians. According to the Wisconsin Supreme Court, the Constitution “requires all individuals to be treated equally without regard to one’s race, ancestry, origin, or ethnicity.” Rabiebna v. Higher Educ. Aids Bd., 2026 WI 20, ¶ 23.