The outcome continues liberal momentum in state judicial elections despite Trump’s popular vote victory in 2024.
GREEN BAY, Wis.—Judge Susan Crawford, a candidate backed by in-state Democrats and supported by millions in out-of-state donations, has won the most expensive Supreme Court seat in state history.
Crawford handily defeated Brad Schimel, a former Republican attorney general who had President Donald Trump’s endorsement, though her straw opponent had been tech entrepreneur Elon Musk.
Crawford won with 55 percent of the vote to Schimel’s 44 percent, with 70 percent reporting. The Associated Press called the race at 10:16 p.m. ET.
Despite receiving millions from out-of-state donors, Crawford successfully cast the race as a battle to keep Musk from controlling the outcome of the contest through his contributions in support of Schimel.
Both candidates received contributions from tens of thousands of donors across all 50 states. Contributions above $20,000 may not be given directly to a political candidate, but donors can contribute larger amounts through state political parties or political action committees.
Musk contributed $3 million to the state’s Republican Party. Billionaires George Soros and JB Pritzker contributed $2 million and $1.5 million respectively to the state Democratic Party.
Musk also handed out two $1 million checks to signers of a petition against judicial activism, which he portrayed as a publicity opportunity on behalf of Schimel. America PAC, which is associated with Musk, heavily supported Schimel also.
The avalanche of funds enabled spending of $21 million by Crawford’s campaign, about $10 million by Schimel’s campaign, according to the most recent campaign financial filings. More than $81 million was spent by other groups in support of the candidates, according to the Brennan Center for Justice.
Conservatives viewed the race as a battle for the future of the state and the country.
“What’s happening [in this election] is a vote for which party controls the U.S. House of Representatives,” Musk said on March 30. “And whichever party controls the House, to a significant degree, controls the country, which then steers the course of Western civilization.”
Prominent Wisconsin Republicans echoed that view.
“We know exactly what Susan Crawford can do,” Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) said at a town hall meeting hosted by Musk. “She’ll be part of a group that will redistrict Derek Van Orden and Bryan Styles’s districts.”
Johnson said that would endanger the Republican majority in the House. “I do not want to be sitting in a third impeachment trial for a president. That’s what we’re facing,” he said.
