In Madison, Wisconsin, the early voting for a pivotal state Supreme Court election is underway. The election has drawn significant attention and substantial financial contributions, dominated by groups tied to Elon Musk and other affluent individuals.
Voters expressed that the court’s future role in deciding crucial issues, such as abortion and immigration, influenced their decisions at the polls. Additionally, there is concern about the impact of national financial influence on the election’s outcome, which could determine if the court will continue with a liberal majority or shift to a conservative one.
Contenders in the April 1 election include Brad Schimel, backed by Republicans, and Susan Crawford, supported by Democrats. This election will fill a vacancy on a court where cases concerning abortion, public sector unions, voting rules, and congressional district boundaries could arise. The results could influence how the court handles future voting challenges in this critical presidential battleground state, intensifying the stakes for both major political parties.
Maggie Freespirit, a retired electrician from Madison, was among the first voters. She supports the Democratic-backed Crawford, largely due to her stance on abortion rights, yet remains anxious about the candidate’s prospects. “I’m still amazed at how many people are supporting what the Republicans are doing,” she said.
In Waukesha, a Republican stronghold, 72-year-old conservative voter Steve Ravely voted for Schimel, citing the economy and immigration as top issues. He expressed concern over national influence, particularly from liberal donor George Soros. “I’m deathly afraid of Soros. Why he butts his nose into our local elections is beyond me,” he stated.
The financial flood into this race has reached unprecedented levels, with spending reaching $59 million, according to the Brennan Center for Justice. This figure has already surpassed that of the 2023 Wisconsin Supreme Court race and is expected to rise further. Over $11 million of the funding stems from Musk-affiliated groups. Key figures, including Donald Trump Jr. and Charlie Kirk, rallied support for Schimel at a pre-vote event. Trump Jr. emphasized the election’s significance in maintaining his father’s political agenda.
On the Democratic side, mega-donors such as George Soros and Illinois Governor JB Pritzker are fueling Crawford’s campaign. Notable Democratic figures, like Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, are also involved in mobilizing voters. Angela Lang, executive director of Black Leaders Organizing Communities, highlights her group’s ongoing grassroots efforts, contrasting external interventions with their sustained community engagement.
Voters like Ellen Gilligan, a Milwaukee resident, are troubled by the out-of-state financial input, particularly Musk’s, fearing it might skew election outcomes. Eileen Anthony shares these worries, criticizing Musk’s growing political influence.
The election is seen as reflective of the public’s opinion on President Donald Trump’s return to office and Musk’s government overhaul. Some voters appreciate Musk’s contributions, like Lynn Schulman, who commented, “I just like him. I think he’s cool.”
Crawford aims to energize her base, turning the race into a broader critique of Musk and Trump. She has accused Musk of essentially controlling Schimel’s campaign. Musk-backed groups rallied soon after Tesla sued Wisconsin over dealership restrictions, a case possibly heading to the Supreme Court.
Voter Joe Schottenfeld believes Schimel is “bought and paid for” by Republicans. Conversely, some Republicans fear that Crawford might politicize the judiciary. Schimel asserts independence from Trump and Musk, despite the financial backing, while still welcoming Trump’s endorsement.
Schimel participated in a Mega MAGA event, showcasing support with symbols strongly aligned with Trump’s vision. He acknowledges a Trump endorsement could help him reach less consistent voters.