In Madison, Wisconsin, the political battleground heats up as Republicans and Democrats vie for control of the state Supreme Court. On Tuesday, the intensity of this competition gains momentum with the commencement of early in-person voting for the high-stakes race.
Two weeks before the April 1 election, the electorate will choose between Brad Schimel, supported by Republicans, and Susan Crawford, backed by Democrats. This election will determine whether liberals can maintain their narrow majority on Wisconsin’s highest court, a pivotal institution in a key presidential swing state.
The race has drawn significant attention and a flurry of financial contributions, notably from President Donald Trump’s advisor Elon Musk, with tens of millions of dollars pouring in. The contest serves as a barometer of public sentiment towards the early days of Trump’s presidency.
In recent history, a Democrat-supported candidate achieved victory in 2023, shifting the Supreme Court’s control towards liberals for the first time in 15 years. This change has led to significant decisions including the invalidation of Republican-drawn legislative maps, paving the way for Democratic advances in the subsequent November election, and the reinstatement of absentee-ballot drop boxes. The court is also examining a longstanding 1849 law banning abortions, with more high-profile cases on unions, voting regulations, and congressional district lines anticipated soon.
Financially, this election has set a new benchmark as the most expensive court race documented in the U.S., reaching $59 million, according to the Brennan Center for Justice. This figure eclipses the previous record set in the Wisconsin Supreme Court race of 2023, with expectations of further escalation as the election day approaches.
Around $11 million of the expenditure stems from Musk-associated groups, showcasing his deep investment in the outcome. Donald Trump Jr. and conservative advocate Charlie Kirk have been active in rallying Republican voters, galvanizing support as early voting kicks off.
On the opposing side, prominent Democrats, including billionaire philanthropist George Soros and Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, are rallying behind Crawford. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz is slated to host an anti-Musk assembly to motivate Democratic early voting, while ex-U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder is organizing events to increase voter turnout, particularly among Black communities.
Wisconsin’s early voting period is selectively available and extends until March 30, ending two days prior to the primary election. Crawford, along with her Democratic allies, is focusing on rallying voter support by framing the race as a judgment on influences like Musk and Trump. In a debate, Crawford dubbed Musk as “Elon Schimel,” underscoring his pivotal role in Schimel’s campaign.
Musk’s financial involvement commenced shortly after Tesla initiated a lawsuit against Wisconsin over regulatory barriers to establishing car dealerships—a matter potentially ascending to the Supreme Court.
Schimel maintains that his judicial impartiality would not be compromised by the massive financial backing from Musk-aligned groups. Amidst campaign happenings, a Musk-supported organization circulated materials endorsing Schimel as vital for Trump’s policy agenda.
In a recent debate, Schimel asserted his commitment to uphold Wisconsin law impartially, regardless of political affiliations or claims, ensuring fairness to all parties within his court’s jurisdiction. Despite his staunch support for Trump, evidenced by attendance at Trump’s inauguration and participation in a recent Mega MAGA rally, Schimel claims his judicial decisions will remain untethered from political pressures.
