MADISON, Wis. — In the contentious race for a seat on the Wisconsin Supreme Court, which could determine the ideological bent of the court, the liberal candidate criticized Elon Musk’s involvement, accusing him of “trying to buy a seat on our Supreme Court.”
A political action committee (PAC) linked to Musk, known for advising former President Donald Trump, has funneled $1 million into the race. Another conservative nonprofit, Building America’s Future, which previously received donations from Musk, has invested $1.6 million in television ads targeting the liberal candidate.
Musk’s support is directed toward Brad Schimel, a Waukesha County judge, ex-state attorney general, and long-standing Trump ally who recently attended Trump’s inauguration. Schimel’s opponent, Susan Crawford, a Dane County judge, enjoys backing from the Wisconsin Democratic Party and prominent Democratic donors like philanthropist George Soros.
The April 1 election is eagerly watched as it may heavily sway the judicial landscape and serves as an early indicator of political tides following Trump’s capture of every swing state, including Wisconsin. The current liberal majority in the Wisconsin Supreme Court is at stake, and the court faces pivotal cases involving abortion, union rights, election law, and congressional redistricting.
“Elon Musk is trying to buy a seat on our Supreme Court so Brad Schimel can rubber stamp his extreme agenda,” Crawford stated at a Wisconsin Counties Association meeting. Crawford highlighted Musk’s PAC’s efforts of a $1 million expenditure on canvassing and field operations, including a flyer featuring Trump urging voters to protect Trump’s agenda by supporting Schimel.
Crawford stressed, “We don’t need that kind of politics on our Supreme Court,” and suggested Musk is involved to influence state-level lawsuits potentially affecting the Trump agenda. She expressed concerns over Musk’s alignment with Trump, considering Musk’s role at the Department of Government Efficiency, contending that his close ties to the president could be troubling.
Contrasting Musk’s support for Schimel, Crawford mentioned her diverse backing from Democratic megadonors such as Soros and Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker. She stressed that her campaign has not made promises akin to those her opponent might have inferred from his fundraising activities.
Crawford underscored her nonpartisan stance by citing endorsements from over 75 judges, court commissioners, and state Supreme Court justices, emphasizing her neutrality in the race. All four current liberal justices and a former liberal justice on the Wisconsin Supreme Court have endorsed Crawford, reinforcing her claims.
