Musk-Funded PAC Boosts Brad Schimel in Wisconsin Race/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Elon Musk’s America PAC is spending millions and deploying canvassers across Wisconsin to support conservative Brad Schimel in Tuesday’s high-stakes state Supreme Court race. The group’s grassroots push includes door-knocking incentives and digital ads, making this the most expensive judicial race in U.S. history.
Musk’s Political PAC Spends Big in Wisconsin Supreme Court Race – Quick Look
- What’s Happening: America PAC, funded by Elon Musk, is investing heavily to help conservative Brad Schimel win a pivotal Wisconsin Supreme Court seat.
- Grassroots Blitz: Canvassers have fanned out statewide, with $4.3M spent on door-to-door outreach alone.
- Big Stakes: The winner could shift control of Wisconsin’s highest court, influencing abortion, redistricting, and future election rules.
- Cash Incentives: Volunteers are paid $20 per door knock with selfie proof, and Musk is offering $1M in petition giveaways.
- Opposition Response: Liberal candidate Susan Crawford and her allies are hitting back, calling Schimel “Elon Schimel” on the campaign trail.
Deep Look: Musk-Funded America PAC Drives Massive Ground Game in Wisconsin Supreme Court Race
GREEN BAY, Wis. — In one of the most consequential judicial elections in recent U.S. history, Elon Musk’s America PAC is waging an all-out grassroots campaign to help elect conservative Brad Schimel to Wisconsin’s Supreme Court — a seat that could tip the ideological balance of the court for years to come.
Since early February, America PAC has deployed paid canvassers across the state, knocking on hundreds of thousands of doors to rally support for Schimel, who faces liberal Susan Crawford in Tuesday’s general election. Wisconsin’s court currently leans 4-3 liberal, but the retirement of a liberal justice puts majority control in play.
Millions Spent on Ground Game
Spending records analyzed one week before the election show America PAC has invested over $4.3 million in canvassing efforts alone. That number dwarfs all other groups in the race — even traditional GOP allies like Americans for Prosperity, which has spent roughly $712,000 on door-knocking.
“They have been on this more than anybody,” said Brian Schimming, chairman of the Wisconsin Republican Party. “From Waukesha to Sauk, they’re showing up at every door.”
Musk himself amplified the urgency during a rally Sunday in Green Bay, calling for a final push and urging supporters to “dragnet the state.”
Door-Knocking Meets Digital Incentives
America PAC’s campaign isn’t just about volunteer enthusiasm — it’s highly incentivized. Musk told supporters they could earn $20 per door knock by signing up as “block captains” and submitting photos as proof. Petition campaigns offered $100 per signature and an additional $100 for each referral.
“It’s a simple selfie with a sign — thumbs up and hold a picture of Judge Schimel,” Musk said. “That’s it. And you get $20.”
Musk has personally committed more than $200 million to America PAC, which is now seen as a core engine of Donald Trump’s political machine. The group’s involvement in Wisconsin is part of a broader plan to influence battleground states ahead of the 2026 midterms and the 2028 presidential race.
A Strategic Battlefield
Wisconsin is a prime target. The Supreme Court is expected to weigh in on abortion rights, gerrymandering, union power, and election laws. In recent years, the court has played a decisive role in shaping voting policies, and the outcome of this race could have national implications.
America PAC canvassers have been seen as far as Sauk County, a swing region where Trump narrowly won in 2024, after Biden claimed it in 2020.
“They are just killing it in Sauk County,” said Jerry Helmer, the local GOP chair.
In counties like Racine and the Wisconsin Dells, canvassers have targeted voters who historically lean conservative but don’t consistently turn out — a key piece of Musk’s turnout strategy.
Musk vs. the Left: The Battle Over the Court
At the Sunday rally, protesters waved signs reading “Musk Hates Judges Who Do Their Job!” and “NO DOGE,” referencing Musk’s controversial Department of Government Efficiency — the federal cost-cutting agency he now oversees under Trump’s administration.
Liberal candidate Susan Crawford, supported by high-profile Democrats like George Soros and Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, mocked her opponent as “Elon Schimel” during a recent debate, framing him as a puppet of Musk’s national agenda.
Despite the backlash, Musk remains unfazed. His team sees the race as a strategic blueprint for conservative organizing nationwide.
The Most Expensive Judicial Race in U.S. History
According to the Wisconsin Democracy Campaign, a watchdog group, this election has already become the costliest judicial race ever, with more than $17 million in outside spending linked to Musk-aligned groups alone.
Beyond canvassing, America PAC has spent at least another $4 million on digital ads, mailers, phone banking, and text messaging — far outpacing both liberal and conservative competitors.
What’s Next?
With just hours left before the polls open, Musk is betting big that door-to-door efforts can mobilize low-propensity voters and deliver a win for Schimel.
“This isn’t just about one judge,” Musk said. “This is about the trajectory of the country.”
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