bablitch served as portage county district attorney from 1969 to 1972 and served in the wisconsin state senate from 1972 to 1983 and was a democrat. he was elected to the wisconsin supreme court in 1983 and reelected in 1993. bablitch retired at the end of his term july 31, 2003. he was a part-time partner at the law firm of michael best & friedrich llp in madison. he died in hawaii.