Susan Crawford won a seat on the Wisconsin Supreme Court, defeating Brad Schimel. Her victory keeps the court’s liberal majority for at least three more years. The election was closely watched and very expensive. Both sides spent a lot of money to influence the results. Crawford was backed by Democrats, while Schimel had strong support from Republicans and billionaire Elon Musk. Susan Crawford wins another victory for the Democrats.
The Most Expensive Judicial Election in History
This race was the most expensive judicial election ever. The total spending reached nearly $99 million, almost doubling the previous record of $51 million in 2023. Musk contributed $3 million to Schimel’s campaign. He also funded groups that spent another $18 million. In addition, he gave $1 million each to three people who signed a petition against what he called “activist” judges. Both candidates relied on large amounts of outside money to fund their campaigns, yet in the end, Susan Crawford wins decisively.
Crawford’s Victory Was More Decisive Than Expected
Polls showed a tight race, but Crawford won by nine percentage points. With 89% of the expected votes counted, her lead was clear. Susan Crawford wins by a larger margin than anticipated. Schimel conceded the race to Crawford. During his speech, one supporter shouted, “Cheater!” but Schimel quickly stopped her. The victory ensures that liberals will hold a 4-3 majority on the court, allowing them to influence key decisions in the state for years.
Key Issues in the Election, Including Redistricting and Abortion
The Wisconsin Supreme Court plays a major role in shaping state policies. Democrats hope the court will allow them to redraw district lines in their favor. They also plan to challenge a law from former Governor Scott Walker that stripped state workers of bargaining rights. Abortion was another big issue in this election. Crawford openly supported abortion rights and received backing from Planned Parenthood. She criticized Schimel for his anti-abortion stance and his ties to Musk and national Republicans. Schimel, in turn, accused Crawford of being too soft on crime and controlled by national Democrats.
Voter Turnout Was High in Both Liberal and Conservative Areas
More people voted in this election than in 2023. Early voting numbers were 50% higher than the previous year. In Milwaukee, a heavily Democratic city, several polling stations ran out of ballots due to high demand. Conservative areas also saw increased voter turnout. The high level of participation showed how important this election was for both sides.
The Long-Term Impact of Crawford’s Win
Crawford replaces Justice Ann Walsh Bradley, who decided not to seek re-election after serving since 1995. This means that no liberal seat will be up for election again until 2028. Until then, liberals will either maintain or strengthen their control of the court. Although Republicans still control the state legislature, this election could shift the balance of power in state government. Former President Donald Trump even commented on the race, saying that Wisconsin’s Supreme Court has a big impact on elections in the state. Clearly, Susan Crawford wins, and the impact is seen far and wide.
Crawford Celebrates While Musk Stays Silent
After her victory, Crawford gave a speech celebrating Wisconsin voters for standing up for democracy. She said justice should not be for sale. Meanwhile, Musk did not comment directly on the election. Instead, he posted about other topics, such as Vietnam and tariffs, on his social media platform. His silence was notable given his heavy involvement in Schimel’s campaign. This race was not only a battle between two candidates but also a test of how much influence outside money could have on state judicial elections.
