Wisconsin Supreme Court Election Smashes Spending Records, Signals Trump and Musk’s Political Clout
Milwaukee, April 1, 2025 – Wisconsin voters head to the polls today in a Supreme Court election that has shattered spending records and emerged as a pivotal early test of President Donald Trump’s second-term influence and billionaire Elon Musk’s growing political muscle. With over $90 million poured into the race—the most expensive judicial contest in U.S. history—the battle between liberal Dane County Judge Susan Crawford and conservative Waukesha County Judge Brad Schimel could tip the ideological balance of the state’s highest court and offer a glimpse into the nation’s mood just months into Trump’s presidency.
A Financial Firestorm
The officially nonpartisan race to replace retiring liberal Justice Ann Walsh Bradley has drawn unprecedented national attention, fueled by a torrent of cash from megadonors on both sides. According to the Brennan Center for Justice, spending surpassed $90 million by Monday, dwarfing the previous record of $56 million set in Wisconsin’s 2023 Supreme Court race. Crawford’s supporters, backed by liberal billionaires like George Soros and Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, have shelled out over $40 million, while Schimel’s camp—propelled by Musk and conservative heavyweights like Diane Hendricks and Richard Uihlein—has topped $49 million.
Musk alone has funneled more than $20 million into Schimel’s bid through his America PAC and affiliated groups, including $1 million giveaways to Wisconsin voters who signed his petition opposing “activist judges.” The Tesla CEO’s high-profile involvement escalated over the weekend when he handed out oversized $1 million checks to two Green Bay voters at a rally, wearing a cheesehead hat and framing the election as “critical to the future of civilization.” Trump, who endorsed Schimel last week, joined the fray with a tele-town hall, calling it “a big race” with national stakes.
A Litmus Test for Power
The stakes extend far beyond Wisconsin’s borders. With Trump back in the White House and Musk advising on federal downsizing via the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), the April 1 vote is seen as a barometer of their sway in a swing state Trump narrowly won in 2024. A Schimel victory could cement a conservative court majority, potentially upholding a near-total 1849 abortion ban, rolling back union rights, and preserving Republican-friendly congressional maps—key planks of Trump’s agenda. A Crawford win, preserving the court’s 4-3 liberal edge, would signal resistance to their influence, offering Democrats hope in a state they’ve struggled to reclaim.
“This is the first real test of Trump and Musk’s political machine since November,” said Ben Wikler, Wisconsin Democratic Party Chair, on Monday. “Voters are pushing back against billionaires buying our courts.” Schimel’s campaign, meanwhile, has leaned into Trump’s base, with the candidate sporting a MAGA hat at events and promising to “restore objectivity” to the bench—a nod to conservative frustration with recent liberal rulings on redistricting and voting access.
Issues on the Line
The court’s next term could reshape Wisconsin’s political landscape. Pending cases include challenges to the 1849 abortion law and a separate question on whether the state constitution protects abortion rights—issues that galvanized voters in 2023 when liberals flipped the court after 15 years of conservative control. Redistricting looms large, too; Musk has claimed a liberal court could “gerrymander” maps to cost Republicans two U.S. House seats, a charge Crawford’s team dismisses as fearmongering. Tesla’s January lawsuit against Wisconsin over dealership laws adds a personal angle for Musk, as the case could eventually reach the Supreme Court.
Spending has fueled a barrage of ads, with Crawford’s allies slamming “Elon Schimel” as a Musk puppet, while Schimel’s backers—like Fair Courts America—tie Crawford to “radical” judges thwarting Trump’s deportation plans. Posts on X reflect the polarization: some hail Musk’s largesse as a grassroots boost, while others decry it as “corrupt” vote-buying, despite the state Supreme Court rejecting a last-minute challenge from Attorney General Josh Kaul to block his giveaways.
Early Signs and What’s Next
Early voting surged, with nearly double the absentee ballots cast compared to 2023’s race at this stage, per Wisconsin Public Radio. Polls have been tight—SoCal Strategies showed Crawford leading 50% to 42% last week, though a Marquette Law School survey found many voters still unfamiliar with the candidates. Turnout, especially among Trump’s November base, could prove decisive in a state known for razor-thin margins.
As polls open today, the nation watches. A Schimel win would affirm Musk’s cash-fueled strategy and Trump’s enduring pull, setting the stage for conservative judicial wins nationwide. A Crawford upset could embolden Democrats to counter the duo’s influence ahead of 2026 midterms. Whatever the outcome, Wisconsin’s costliest court race has already redefined the intersection of money, power, and justice in America’s heartland.
