In a groundbreaking development in Wisconsin’s judicial election history, spending for the state Supreme Court race surged past $100 million, largely fueled by billionaires like Elon Musk and George Soros, as reported by the Brennan Center for Law. This massive funding eclipsed previous expenditure records in U.S. judicial contests, doubling the former high of $51 million set in another Wisconsin Supreme Court race in 2023. Both elections were pivotal battles for political influence over the state’s highest court.
To offer context, the extraordinary sum of $100 million spent on this single race is approximately equal to the total spending on 68 different Supreme Court elections spanning 26 states during 2021 and 2022, according to data from the Brennan Center. In Tuesday’s election, Dane County Circuit Judge Susan Crawford emerged victorious over her opponent Waukesha County Circuit Judge Brad Schimel, who had the backing of Musk and former President Donald Trump.
Musk personally invested at least $3 million in the race, with groups linked to him contributing an additional $19 million, as detailed by the Brennan Center. In contrast, Democratic-supporting billionaires such as George Soros and Illinois Governor JB Pritzker collectively invested $3.5 million in support of Crawford.
Musk’s influence extended beyond direct contributions, with his America PAC distributing $1 million checks to three Wisconsin voters who endorsed a petition against so-called “activist” judges. Remarkably, Musk personally delivered two of these checks. Voters who signed the petition were promised $100 each, a strategy that faced legal challenges from Wisconsin’s Democratic Attorney General, albeit unsuccessfully.
The unprecedented financial influx from various billionaires contributed to record-breaking voter turnout in a Wisconsin judicial race, even absent a concurrent presidential primary. Over half of the eligible voting population participated, resulting in a 10-point victory margin for Crawford.
Crawford’s triumph maintains the Wisconsin Supreme Court’s 4-3 liberal majority, a configuration established since 2023. The court is slated to handle critical cases in the near future, addressing pressing issues such as abortion rights, union powers, voting legislation, and congressional redistricting.
Despite having a nearly $8 million edge in campaign spending, Schimel’s spending amounted to $54 million against Crawford’s $46.2 million, according to the Brennan Center’s findings. The substantial financial commitment and interest mark a shift from traditionally low-cost and subdued judicial elections to high-stakes and highly financed battles.
Nationwide, there is a growing recognition of the critical role state Supreme Court races play, particularly as legal skirmishes over high-profile issues such as abortion rights take center stage. Douglas Keith, a senior counsel in the Brennan Center’s judiciary program, remarked on this heightened awareness and spending, noting how the Wisconsin race surpassed typical expectations for a judicial election, approaching figures usually reserved for gubernatorial races.
For comparison, the 2022 gubernatorial race in Wisconsin, won by Democratic Governor Tony Evers, saw record spending for the state, totaling $164 million. This reflects the escalating financial stakes in major political contests, underscoring the intense focus on court races as influential battlegrounds for key policy debates.