Susan Crawford elected to Wisconsin Supreme Court, maintaining 4-3 liberal majority
Susan Crawford's victory strengthens the liberal presence on the Wisconsin Supreme Court, influencing future legal decisions in the state.
Susan Crawford, a Dane County judge, triumphed in the Wisconsin Supreme Court race on Tuesday, defeating Brad Schimel, a candidate supported by Donald Trump and entrepreneur Elon Musk. This victory strengthens the liberal majority on the court, which now holds a 4-3 balance for at least the next three years.
Crawford's legal career has been marked by advocacy for union protections, abortion rights, and opposition to voter ID laws. She viewed her victory as a significant affirmation of democratic values and a rejection of external influence, particularly targeting Musk’s financial involvement.
In her victory speech, Crawford remarked, “Growing up in Chippewa Falls, I never could have imagined that I would be taking on the richest man in the world for justice in Wisconsin. And we won.”
Musk, alongside other conservative-backed groups, contributed over $21 million to Schimel's campaign. Musk personally visited Wisconsin days before the election to distribute $1 million checks to voters in support of Schimel.
“Today Wisconsinites fended off an unprecedented attack on our democracy, our fair elections and our Supreme Court,” Crawford stated in her speech. “And Wisconsin stood up and said loudly that justice does not have a price, our courts are not for sale.”
The election, which had one of the highest turnouts for a Wisconsin Supreme Court race, also set a record for spending, surpassing $100 million. Crawford led Schimel by more than 8 percentage points, according to unofficial results, and the voter turnout exceeded 52% of the voting-age population.
Crawford's backers included prominent Democrats, such as former President Barack Obama and billionaire philanthropist George Soros, while Schimel was supported by Trump and Musk. The election gained national significance, serving as a potential barometer for public sentiment regarding Trump’s recent return to office and Musk’s political influence.
The campaign saw intense spending from Musk’s groups, with Musk personally contributing $3 million and funding additional contributions of $18 million through affiliated organizations. His involvement drew significant attention, especially his efforts to distribute large sums directly to voters.
Schimel, who conceded defeat on election night, had aligned himself closely with Trump’s endorsement but insisted that he was not beholden to either Trump or Musk. However, his campaign's ties to these figures became a focal point in Crawford's campaign strategy, which emphasized the potential dangers of outside money influencing judicial elections.
For voters like Jim Hazelton, a disabled veteran, Musk’s involvement played a pivotal role in shaping their vote. Hazelton, who initially planned to abstain, ultimately voted for Crawford, criticizing Musk’s broader impact on the country. Other voters, such as Jim Seeger, expressed concerns about redistricting, which led them to support Schimel.
The outcome has significant implications for the court’s future decisions, especially on issues such as abortion rights, public sector unions, voting laws, and the redrawing of congressional district boundaries. With a liberal majority now secure, the court is poised to influence these critical areas for years to come.
The race was the most expensive state Supreme Court election in U.S. history, with contributions from both sides pouring in at an unprecedented rate. Critics of Musk’s influence, such as Wisconsin Democratic Party Chair Ben Wikler, warned that Musk’s financial backing of judicial candidates could set a troubling precedent for future elections across the country.
This race also served as a reminder of how judicial elections in Wisconsin have taken on national significance, with the outcome potentially affecting not just state-level policies but also broader political dynamics in a pivotal swing state.