Wisconsin Supreme Court Race Draws Record Turnout \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ Unprecedented voter turnout in Wisconsin caused ballot shortages in Milwaukee as voters flocked to decide a high-stakes Supreme Court race. Backed by Trump and Elon Musk, Brad Schimel faced Democrat-aligned Susan Crawford in a contest that shattered spending records and became a national proxy battle.
Wisconsin Court Race Turnout Surges: Quick Looks
- Wisconsin Supreme Court race sees historic voter turnout
- Ballot shortages hit Milwaukee amid surge in participation
- Trump, Musk back Schimel; Obama, Soros support Crawford
- Race becomes referendum on Trump’s second-term agenda
- $99M spent makes it costliest judicial race in U.S. history
- Musk gave $1M to individual voters and $21M overall
- Early voting surged 50% higher than 2023 levels
- Winner will tilt state court’s ideological balance
- Court likely to weigh in on abortion, voting, redistricting
- Voter reactions show deep polarization and billionaire backlash
Deep Look
A critical judicial race in Wisconsin surged into national focus Tuesday as record-breaking turnout overwhelmed polling locations and caused temporary ballot shortages in Milwaukee, highlighting the intense political engagement surrounding the state’s Supreme Court election. The race, which drew endorsements and millions in spending from figures like Donald Trump and Elon Musk, pits former GOP Attorney General Brad Schimel against Democratic-backed Judge Susan Crawford.
The stakes were clear: the outcome would determine whether the Wisconsin Supreme Court maintains its 4-3 liberal majority or reverts to conservative control, with implications for abortion access, voting laws, union rights, and potential challenges to future election results in the battleground state.
National Figures, Billionaire Spending, and a Proxy War
The race became a proxy for America’s broader political divisions, attracting high-profile endorsements and unprecedented campaign cash.
- Trump backed Schimel and framed the race as key to controlling how Wisconsin handles future elections.
- Elon Musk, the tech billionaire and head of the new Department of Government Efficiency, donated $3 million personally, funded groups contributing an additional $18 million, and even handed out $1 million checks to voters.
- Barack Obama, George Soros, and Planned Parenthood backed Crawford, who highlighted her record on abortion rights, union protections, and opposition to voter ID laws.
Democratic operatives seized on Musk’s spending as emblematic of a concerning trend toward billionaire election influence.
“People do not want to see Elon Musk buying election after election,” said Wisconsin Democratic Party Chair Ben Wikler.
Crawford echoed this concern, saying Tuesday that the “voters are going to see through those tactics.”
Historic Turnout and Voter Sentiment
Turnout levels far exceeded expectations, with early voting surpassing levels from the 2023 court race by more than 50%. In Milwaukee, seven polling stations either ran out of ballots or nearly did, prompting emergency shipments before polls closed. The Milwaukee Elections Commission attributed the surge to “historic turnout.”
State officials confirmed no major voting issues overall, though severe weather required relocation of some northern polling stations and a temporary power outage affected sites in Green Bay.
Voter sentiment at the polls revealed deep divides, with Trump and Musk’s involvement swaying voters both for and against Schimel.
“He’s cutting everything,” said Jim Hazelton, a 68-year-old veteran who voted for Crawford due to Musk’s involvement. “People need these things he’s cutting.”
Meanwhile, other voters were unmoved by political endorsements.
“I support the police as much as Schimel does,” said Taylor Sullivan, a 39-year-old Iraq War veteran, adding that Trump and Musk didn’t influence his vote.
What’s at Stake: A Court with National Consequences
The winner of the race will replace retiring liberal Justice Ann Walsh Bradley, serving a 10-year term on a court poised to hear pivotal cases in coming years.
Issues likely to reach the court include:
- Abortion restrictions, as Wisconsin laws remain unsettled post-Roe
- Union rights, particularly regarding public sector bargaining
- Redistricting, which could reshape congressional boundaries
- Voting access and election law, especially ahead of 2028
Schimel and Musk have openly said that a Crawford victory could lead to redrawing congressional maps to favor Democrats. The court declined to take up such a case last year but could reverse course with new leadership.
Trump, campaigning in Wisconsin the day before the election, underscored the stakes:
“Winning Wisconsin’s a big deal… so the Supreme Court choice is a big race.”
Most Expensive Judicial Race in U.S. History
According to the Brennan Center for Justice, spending in the race has reached $99 million, setting a record for any state judicial election in U.S. history.
- Musk’s contributions: $3 million personal, $18 million via PACs and groups
- Musk also gave $1 million checks to at least three voters
- Crawford’s campaign was supported by megadonors Soros and Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, alongside Democratic leaders like Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz
Despite the spending, Schimel downplayed national involvement:
“It’s the Wisconsin voters that matter.”
Crawford countered that the influx of billionaire money isn’t democratic.
A Test for Trump’s Second Term and Musk’s Influence
The Wisconsin race is widely seen as an early referendum on Trump’s second term and his reshaped executive approach through agencies like Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency.
While Democrats hoped to replicate their 11-point win from two years ago, both sides anticipated a much tighter result this time. A Crawford win would keep the court liberal until at least 2028; a Schimel victory would put the majority back in play next year.
With national eyes watching and grassroots energy surging, Wisconsin’s Supreme Court race has become far more than a state contest—it’s a barometer of how voters are responding to power, money, and partisanship in 2025.
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