Judge Susan Crawford maintained the liberals’ narrow majority on the Wisconsin Supreme Court by defeating conservative candidate Brad Schimel. However, the outcome also highlighted the unsuccessful efforts of billionaire Elon Musk, who heavily invested in the race.
Musk and his associated groups contributed over $21 million to the normally low-profile judicial race in Wisconsin, attempting to increase voter turnout by offering financial incentives, including paying three voters $1 million each for signing a petition. This election was seen as a major test of Musk’s political influence, which has grown amidst his cost-cutting measures affecting federal agencies during President Donald Trump’s administration.
Campaigning efforts by Crawford and her Democratic supporters centered around the narrative that Musk was attempting to “buy” the election. This led to the judicial race becoming the most expensive in history, according to reports. In her victory speech, Crawford stated that Wisconsin voters had rejected an unprecedented attack on democracy and fair elections, asserting that the judiciary should not be commodified.
The race became a focal point for national political issues, with Trump endorsing Schimel. The Wisconsin Supreme Court’s future rulings could influence voting rights and redistricting, particularly crucial in upcoming midterm elections and the 2028 presidential contest.
Despite Musk’s substantial financial backing, which included funding door-to-door canvassers via America PAC, also supported by Trump in previous presidential battleground states, the strategy did not yield success. As of late Tuesday, Schimel was trailing behind Crawford by four percentage points, a larger margin than another Republican candidate, Brittany Kinser, who also lost her race.
Crawford secured significant victories in traditionally Democratic strongholds and even in areas where Musk-backed efforts were concentrated, such as Sauk County and Brown County. In the aftermath, Musk took to his social media platform, X, suggesting the results were indicative of judicial corruption by the left, though he found some consolation in voters supporting a constitutional amendment to solidify the state’s photo ID law.
Critics on the platform, including Democratic figures like J.B. Pritzker and Jon Favreau, voiced disapproval of Musk’s involvement in the election. Meanwhile, voters expressed varying opinions on the influence of Musk’s financial input, with some expressing concern over the perceived attempt to sway the election, while others, like Jim Seeger, lamented the costly nature of the race.
In related legal matters, Wisconsin’s Democratic Attorney General, Josh Kaul, filed a lawsuit to prevent Musk’s financial incentives aimed at deterring “activist judges,” but the state Supreme Court did not rule on it due to a technicality.
Following Trump’s inauguration, Musk entered the political fray in Wisconsin, striving to reclaim a conservative majority lost in 2023. Drawing on previous campaign tactics used in the presidential elections, Musk offered financial incentives to boost support for Schimel, but the Democrats capitalized on framing Musk as a controversial figure within the race.
The Democratic Party of Wisconsin, represented by Chair Ben Wikler, emphasized concerns over Musk’s national electoral strategies, asserting that success in Wisconsin could lead to similar attempts across the country.
