Wisconsin court race tests Trump's approval as Musk pours millions into campaign

Wisconsin Court Race Tests Trump’s Approval as Musk Pours Millions into Campaign

On April 1, 2025, Wisconsin voters will head to the polls to elect a new state Supreme Court justice in a race that has become a national flashpoint. What might typically be a low-profile judicial election has transformed into a high-stakes battleground, drawing unprecedented financial intervention from billionaire Elon Musk and thrusting President Donald Trump’s political influence into the spotlight. With millions of dollars flowing into the campaign and the ideological balance of the court hanging in the balance, this contest is shaping up to be a referendum on Trump’s approval and Musk’s growing role in American politics.

The Stakes of the Race

The election pits conservative Waukesha County Judge Brad Schimel, a former state attorney general and Trump ally, against liberal Dane County Judge Susan Crawford, who is backed by Democrats. The winner will replace retiring liberal Justice Ann Walsh Bradley, determining whether the court maintains its current 4-3 liberal majority or flips to a conservative one. The outcome will have far-reaching implications for Wisconsin, a perennial swing state, on issues like abortion rights, labor laws, voting regulations, and congressional redistricting.

Since liberals gained control of the court in 2023, they have made significant moves, including striking down gerrymandered legislative maps that favored Republicans and accepting cases that could determine the fate of a pre-Civil War abortion ban. A Schimel victory would shift the court rightward, potentially aligning it with Trump’s agenda and reversing these progressive gains. For Democrats, holding the majority is seen as a critical bulwark against the conservative resurgence sweeping the nation under Trump’s second term.

Musk’s Millions and Trump’s Endorsement

Elon Musk, now a key figure in Trump’s administration as head of the Department of Government Efficiency, has emerged as the race’s most dominant financial force. Through his America PAC and the nonprofit Building America’s Future, Musk has poured over $14 million into supporting Schimel, with plans to spend up to $20 million by Election Day. This includes television ads, canvassing operations, and a controversial initiative offering Wisconsin voters $100 to sign a petition opposing “activist judges”—a move critics argue skirts election laws by incentivizing voter engagement.

Musk’s involvement escalated further when he hosted Schimel on an X livestream days before the election, urging Trump voters to turn out. Meanwhile, Trump himself endorsed Schimel on Truth Social, calling him a key ally in “restoring our Nation” and warning that a Crawford win would derail his movement. The former president’s son, Donald Trump Jr., also joined conservative activist Charlie Kirk to host a get-out-the-vote event for Schimel in Wisconsin, amplifying the race’s national profile.

Musk’s financial stake is not purely ideological. His electric vehicle company, Tesla, recently sued Wisconsin over a law barring manufacturers from owning dealerships—a case that could reach the state Supreme Court. Critics, including Crawford’s campaign, argue that Musk is attempting to “buy” a favorable justice, a charge Schimel dismisses by insisting he will rule impartially and follow the law.

A Test of Trump’s Post-Election Clout

The Wisconsin race marks Trump’s first electoral test since his November 2024 victory, offering a glimpse into his ability to mobilize voters in an off-year election where he isn’t on the ballot. Republicans see it as an opportunity to capitalize on Trump’s narrow 2024 win in Wisconsin—where he prevailed by about 30,000 votes—by turning out his base. Schimel’s campaign has leaned heavily into this strategy, with Musk-funded materials touting him as a defender of “President Trump’s agenda.”

Yet, recent polls suggest Trump’s approval may be a double-edged sword. A Marquette University Law School survey from late February found 51% of Wisconsin voters disapprove of his performance, while 53% view Musk unfavorably. Democrats are banking on this discontent, framing Schimel as a puppet of Trump and Musk’s “extreme agenda.” State Democratic Party Chair Ben Wikler has reported an “explosive surge” in grassroots donations tied to Musk’s involvement, signaling that the billionaire’s cash may be galvanizing opposition as much as support.

Democrats Fight Back

Crawford’s campaign has made Musk a central issue, dubbing Schimel “Elon Schimel” and plastering billboards with slogans like “Don’t let Elon buy the Supreme Court.” Backed by significant donations from liberal megadonors like George Soros ($1 million) and Illinois Governor JB Pritzker ($500,000), Crawford has raised $7.7 million compared to Schimel’s $5 million. Democrats have also outraised Republicans in grassroots contributions, contacting twice as many voters as they did in the 2023 court race that secured their majority.

Abortion rights remain a key rallying cry for Crawford’s supporters. With the court poised to rule on Wisconsin’s 1849 abortion ban, her campaign emphasizes reproductive freedom, contrasting her stance with Schimel’s long-standing opposition to abortion (though he has pledged to respect voters’ will). Democrats hope this issue, combined with backlash to Trump and Musk’s federal cuts, will drive turnout in a state where off-year elections typically favor the left.

A National Bellwether

The Wisconsin Supreme Court race is already the most expensive judicial contest in U.S. history, with combined spending potentially hitting $100 million. Political observers see it as a preview of the 2026 midterms, testing whether Trump’s influence endures and whether Musk’s wealth can reshape state-level politics. For Republicans, a Schimel win would signal that their 2024 momentum persists; for Democrats, a Crawford victory would prove they can still fight back in the Trump era.

As the April 1 election nears, the race underscores a broader struggle over democracy’s guardrails. Musk’s millions and Trump’s endorsement have turned a state judicial election into a national spectacle, raising questions about the role of moneyed influence in the judiciary. Whatever the outcome, Wisconsin’s decision will reverberate far beyond its borders, shaping the political landscape for years to come.