In the final days before Wisconsin’s critical Supreme Court election, conservatives are ramping up efforts to secure victory for Brad Schimel, the candidate endorsed by President Donald Trump, with billionaire Elon Musk leading aggressive voter outreach initiatives.
Schimel, a former Republican attorney general, faces off against liberal Dane County Judge Susan Crawford, who is backed by national Democrats including former President Barack Obama. This election is particularly crucial because the winner will cast deciding votes on pivotal issues such as abortion, voter rights and public-sector union power.
Trump has made clear the stakes for conservatives, labeling Crawford a “Radical Left Liberal” and warning Wisconsin voters that her victory could sideline the state from his broader conservative agenda. He hosted a recent telephone town hall urging conservatives to vote early and protect Wisconsin’s conservative gains.
Musk has brought dramatic attention to the race, spending over $20 million through his America PAC. Musk’s boldest move involved personally promising two Wisconsin voters $1 million each at an event Sunday for signing petitions opposing activist judges. This announcement prompted immediate legal action from Democratic Attorney General Josh Kaul, who argues Musk’s offer violates election laws.
Obama, meanwhile, openly endorsed Crawford, promoting her candidacy via Twitter and emphasizing the importance of preserving voters’ rights. Democrats have actively tried to use Musk’s involvement against Schimel, airing advertisements portraying Musk as threatening popular social programs and education funding.
Schimel himself has remained cautiously detached from the Musk controversy, avoiding direct statements about Musk’s giveaways. He admitted previously considering signing Musk’s anti-activist judge petition but ultimately did not, choosing to maintain some distance despite agreeing with its principles.
Wisconsin’s election carries nationwide implications for conservative policy victories, notably the survival of Act 10, passed by former Gov. Scott Walker. This law limited public-sector union powers and ended the mandatory deduction of union dues from state employees’ salaries, stopping the flow of taxpayer-funded money into Democratic campaigns. Crawford, a vocal opponent of Act 10, would likely overturn it if given the chance.
Election spending in Wisconsin has shattered all previous records, topping $80 million, reflecting the national significance of the state’s court race. Liberal billionaires George Soros and JB Pritzker have matched Musk’s intensity, channeling millions into Crawford’s campaign as the April 1 election draws closer.
