Crawford’s Win Raises Questions about Musk Role in Wisconsin Court Race/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Susan Crawford, backed by Democrats, won a key Wisconsin Supreme Court seat, maintaining a liberal majority. Despite Elon Musk’s $21M investment and Trump’s endorsement of Brad Schimel, voters rejected conservative influence. The race shattered spending records and became a high-stakes battle over democracy and judicial independence.
Wisconsin Supreme Court Election Quick Looks
- Liberal judge Susan Crawford wins against conservative Brad Schimel in Wisconsin’s highest court race.
- Elon Musk-backed PACs and Trump endorsements failed to sway voters, despite over $21M spent.
- Crawford’s win maintains a 4-3 liberal majority on the Wisconsin Supreme Court until at least 2028.
- Voter turnout broke records, exceeding 52% of the eligible population.
- Crawford criticized Musk’s influence, saying “our courts are not for sale.”
- The race became the most expensive court election in U.S. history, nearing $100 million.
- Issues at stake: abortion access, voter ID, union rights, and redistricting battles.
- Trump Jr. and Musk pushed for Schimel in the final campaign days.
- Despite heavy spending, voters voiced distrust in Musk’s role in American politics.
- A separate voter ID constitutional amendment passed, tightening future voter access regulations.
Susan Crawford Triumphs in Wisconsin Supreme Court Election: Deep Look
MADISON, Wis. — In a landmark judicial contest that shattered spending records and drew national attention, Democrat-aligned Judge Susan Crawford defeated conservative challenger Brad Schimel in Wisconsin’s Supreme Court race. Backed by heavyweights like Planned Parenthood and progressive megadonors, Crawford’s win maintains a liberal 4-3 majority on the state’s highest court and signals a blow to right-wing efforts steered by President Donald Trump and billionaire Elon Musk.
“This victory isn’t just mine—it belongs to every Wisconsinite who stood up for an independent judiciary,” Crawford said during her victory speech. “We showed the world that justice cannot be bought.”
Crawford, a Dane County judge known for defending union rights and abortion access, faced off against Schimel, a Trump-endorsed former state attorney general who also received an eye-popping $21 million in support from Musk and affiliated PACs. Musk’s personal involvement included distributing $1 million checks to voters who aligned with his views—a move that sparked outrage and accusations of election interference.
In the end, Wisconsin voters delivered a resounding message. Crawford secured victory by more than eight percentage points in a race with over 52% voter turnout—the highest in state Supreme Court election history. That surpasses even the 2023 court race, which saw nearly 40% turnout.
A Proxy Battle for National Politics
While a state-level election, the race was viewed nationally as a proxy for partisan tensions playing out in Washington. With Trump resuming his second term in the White House and Musk holding a prominent role in his administration via the Department of Government Efficiency, the Wisconsin contest became a referendum on their controversial policies.
“This wasn’t just about Wisconsin,” said Ben Wikler, chair of the Wisconsin Democratic Party. “It was about whether billionaires like Musk can buy our democracy.”
Crawford’s campaign leaned into that narrative, labeling Schimel “Elon Schimel” in debates and tying him to Musk’s efforts to slash federal programs. In contrast, Schimel attempted to frame Crawford as soft on crime and a puppet of left-wing donors.
Yet many voters saw Musk’s involvement as overreach. Milwaukee resident Jim Hazelton, a disabled veteran, originally planned to skip voting but changed his mind after seeing Musk and Trump’s influence.
“He’s cutting everything,” Hazelton said. “People need the services he’s targeting.”
Court Control and Upcoming Legal Fights
Crawford’s win ensures the court’s liberal majority will remain intact through at least 2028. The court is expected to weigh in on pivotal issues such as abortion rights, voting rules, and union protections. Perhaps most consequentially, it could also rule on challenges to congressional district maps that currently favor Republicans 6-to-2.
Trump emphasized the race’s stakes in the days before the election, saying, “Winning Wisconsin is a big deal, so therefore the Supreme Court choice is a big race.”
Despite Trump’s last-minute endorsement, Schimel conceded graciously at his election night event—even playing bass guitar with his rock band after the loss. Some supporters cried foul, but Schimel urged acceptance:
“You’ve got to accept the results.”
Voter ID Amendment Adds a Conservative Win
While liberals celebrated the court victory, conservatives notched a win through a constitutional amendment that enshrines Wisconsin’s photo ID requirement into the state’s founding document. Already law since 2011, the amendment makes future repeal efforts far more difficult.
The measure passed with strong support, even among some who voted for Crawford. A Marquette Law School poll earlier this year showed 73% of voters backing the voter ID requirement, citing election integrity.
Civil rights organizations, including the ACLU and League of Women Voters, opposed the amendment, warning it could disenfranchise vulnerable populations.
Record Spending, Historic Implications
This race shattered all prior spending records for state judicial elections, with the Brennan Center for Justice tallying nearly $99 million in total expenditures. That more than doubles the previous $51 million record set in Wisconsin’s 2023 Supreme Court contest.
Musk personally contributed $3 million and steered an additional $18 million through affiliated groups. His financial strategy included handing out seven-figure checks and offering voters financial incentives to oppose “activist judges.”
Crawford countered with backing from Democratic megadonors like George Soros, JB Pritzker, and a campaign appearance by Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, the party’s 2024 vice-presidential nominee.
Despite both sides receiving billionaire backing, it was Musk’s role that took center stage—and may have cost Schimel the election.
“People just don’t want Elon Musk running the show,” said Wisconsin voter Antonio Gray.
Looking Ahead
As Democrats celebrate a win for judicial independence, Republicans are taking stock of what went wrong. With key congressional redistricting cases and potential federal legal disputes looming, the Wisconsin court could now become a major obstacle to GOP goals.
For Musk, the loss marks a rare defeat in his fast-expanding political portfolio. He has pledged $100 million more to support Trump-aligned initiatives in the 2026 midterms—but Tuesday’s results suggest his money won’t guarantee victory.
Meanwhile, Crawford returns to the courtroom with a fresh mandate and a national spotlight.
“We protected the rule of law tonight,” she said. “And we’re just getting started.”
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