In Madison, Wisconsin, the Democratic Party has declared its intent to actively counter Elon Musk’s influence in the battle for control of the Wisconsin Supreme Court, framing the upcoming election as a judgment on Musk, an influential advisor to former President Donald Trump. The Wisconsin Democratic Party has announced a new initiative exceeding $1 million aimed at characterizing the April 1 election as an opportunity for voters to express their dissatisfaction with actions taken by the Trump administration. This campaign comes as Elon Musk, noted for his vast wealth, alongside other Republican supporters, outpaces Democratic spending with the election just a month away.
Ben Wikler, Chairman of the Wisconsin Democratic Party, expressed confidence that Democrats can surmount the funding disparity by harnessing voter frustration over Musk’s divisive actions. “We’re going to punch back,” Wikler declared. The stakes in this election are high for swing state Wisconsin, as the outcome could sway the composition of the state’s highest court, impacting pivotal issues such as abortion rights, the strength of public unions, electoral regulations, and the delineation of congressional districts.
Democratic-supported candidate Susan Crawford, along with her backers, is attempting to nationalize the race against her Republican opponent, Brad Schimel, by spotlighting Musk’s involvement. During an engagement at the Milwaukee Rotary Club, Crawford praised the Democrats’ proactive strategy, emphasizing the concerning nature of Musk’s attempts to influence a local judicial election through substantial advertising efforts.
The Republican camp, with considerable financial support largely attributed to Musk, has achieved a notable funding advantage in the judicial race. Pro-Schimel groups have reportedly spent about $12.3 million on the campaign compared to Crawford’s $2.8 million, as captured by the Wisconsin Democracy Campaign’s spending records. Advertising commitments reveal that Schimel and affiliates have devoted or earmarked around $14 million in various television platforms, whereas Crawford’s team accounts for roughly $13.2 million, according to AdImpact’s data.
America PAC, a group financially backed by Musk, has reportedly invested over $3.2 million in digital promotion and grassroots activities supporting Schimel’s campaign. Concurrently, another Musk-funded organization, Building America’s Future, has allocated more than $2 million in television ads targeting Crawford. This election is projected to break the record as the most lavish court election in U.S. history, exceeding the $51 million previously spent on a similar race.
To counter this financial gap, Wikler announced the state Democratic Party’s plan to invest more than $1 million in an endeavor concentrating on Musk, involving digital advertisements, billboard campaigns, and town hall meetings across Wisconsin. The inaugural town hall event is set for Thursday in Sauk County, a pivotal area that supported Trump in past elections but shifted towards Biden in 2020.
Meanwhile, Schimel’s campaign spokesperson, Jacob Fischer, commented on the support Crawford receives from influential Democratic financiers like George Soros and Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, alleging that their attempts to divert public attention from Crawford’s alleged radical views amount to sheer hypocrisy.
Wikler accused Musk of trying to use the court election to advance his and Trump’s agendas, citing a lawsuit filed by Tesla challenging Wisconsin’s decision to block its dealerships in the state. This lawsuit, potentially reaching the Wisconsin Supreme Court, highlights the high stakes of the court contest.
Schimel, when queried about the Tesla lawsuit, refrained from disclosing whether he would recuse himself if the case comes before the court. He asserted his impartiality, stating, “I don’t have any agenda that I’m working alongside anyone,” underscoring his commitment to impartiality in adherence to legal principles.
