Wisconsin’s Supreme Court race has broken records as the most expensive judicial election in US history, with over $73 million spent so far. The April 1 contest between liberal Dane County Judge Susan Crawford and conservative Waukesha County Judge Brad Schimel has drawn significant attention from billionaire Elon Musk, who is backing Schimel’s candidacy.
The Supreme Court’s makeup could have major implications for the 2026 midterms and 2028 presidential election in a critical battleground state. A court that leans liberal could impact voting rules and public sector unions’ collective bargaining rights, among other issues.
Musk has spent over $14 million to boost Schimel’s candidacy, while Crawford has received support from billionaires George Soros and JB Pritzker. The Democratic Party has branded the race as “The People v. Musk” and is trying to channel voters’ outrage against Musk.
Polls show that Musk is unpopular in Wisconsin, which has been an evenly divided state in recent elections. Trump won by a fraction of a percentage point in 2020, while conservative candidates have lost in recent years. The outcome of the Supreme Court race will be closely watched as a test of Democratic enthusiasm heading into the midterm elections.
As both sides focus on turning out their voters, it remains to be seen who will emerge victorious. The stakes are high for this critical battleground state, and the winner of the Supreme Court seat could have significant implications for future elections in Wisconsin and beyond.
Source: https://apnews.com/article/wisconsin-supreme-court-trump-schimel-crawford-musk-c11aca1092103d1a975817d25443681a