Susan Crawford, the Democratic-backed candidate for the Wisconsin Supreme Court, secured a decisive victory on Tuesday, defeating Republican-backed Brad Schimel in a race that set records for spending and voter turnout. Her win cements a liberal majority on the court for at least three more years.
Crawford, a Dane County judge known for her legal battles in support of union rights, abortion access, and opposition to voter ID laws, celebrated her victory alongside the court’s four current liberal justices. She framed her triumph as a win for democracy, taking aim at billionaire Elon Musk, who had invested heavily in Schimel’s campaign.
“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,” Crawford said. “And we won.”
Musk and affiliated groups spent over $21 million in an attempt to defeat Crawford, with Musk personally delivering $1 million checks to two voters just days before the election. However, Crawford’s campaign overcame the opposition, with her victory speech emphasizing resistance to outside influence in Wisconsin’s judiciary.
“Today, Wisconsinites fended off an unprecedented attack on our democracy, our fair elections, and our Supreme Court,” Crawford declared. “And Wisconsin stood up and said loudly that justice does not have a price, our courts are not for sale.”
A Race of National Significance
Crawford’s win comes in a highly scrutinized election seen as an early test of political sentiment under President Donald Trump’s administration. With the Wisconsin Supreme Court holding power over election laws and congressional redistricting, both Democrats and Republicans viewed the outcome as critical.
Turnout exceeded 52% of the voting-age population, surpassing the previous record of nearly 40% set in 2023. Spending in the race approached $100 million, making it the most expensive judicial election in US history.
Schimel, a former state attorney general, conceded defeat despite frustration among his supporters. At his election night party, one attendee shouted “Cheater, cheater!” but Schimel urged calm.
“No,” he said. “You’ve got to accept the results.”
In a unique display, Schimel played bass guitar with his classic rock cover band before and after his concession, performing songs from the Allman Brothers and Tom Petty.
Abortion, Redistricting, and Judicial Independence
Crawford’s campaign was bolstered by endorsements from Planned Parenthood and other abortion rights advocates, while Schimel sought to position her as weak on crime and overly aligned with Democratic interests.
Trump, Musk, and other prominent conservatives rallied behind Schimel, warning that a liberal-controlled court would redraw congressional maps to disadvantage Republicans and repeal a GOP-backed law that curtailed collective bargaining rights for public sector workers.
Crawford, in turn, criticized Schimel’s ties to Musk and Trump, at one point referring to him as “Elon Schimel” during a debate.
The Court’s Future and National Implications
With Crawford’s win, the court remains under a 4-3 liberal majority, which will be secure until at least April 2028. The court is expected to weigh in on key issues including abortion, union rights, election rules, and congressional redistricting.
Trump acknowledged the court’s significance in a speech ahead of the election. “Wisconsin’s a big state politically, and the Supreme Court has a lot to do with elections in Wisconsin,” he said. “Winning Wisconsin’s a big deal, so therefore the Supreme Court choice … it’s a big race.”
Musk remained silent on his social media platform X following the election, instead reposting unrelated content about Vietnam and trade tariffs. Trump, who endorsed Schimel just 11 days before the election, also did not immediately comment.
Record-Breaking Spending and Influence
This election shattered records as the most expensive state Supreme Court race in US history. Total spending neared $99 million, eclipsing the previous record of $51 million set in Wisconsin’s 2023 judicial contest.
Musk personally contributed $3 million to Schimel’s campaign, with groups he funded adding another $18 million. Additionally, he distributed $1 million checks to three voters who signed a petition opposing “activist” judges.
Crawford benefitted from campaign support
Democratic figures including former President Barack Obama and billionaire donors such as George Soros and Illinois Governor JB Pritzker. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, last year’s Democratic vice-presidential nominee, also campaigned for her in Wisconsin.
Voter Perspectives
At polling places across the state, voters expressed varied motivations for their choices.
In Waunakee, Iraq War veteran Taylor Sullivan, 39, said he voted for Schimel because of his strong support for law enforcement. Meanwhile, in Milwaukee, college student Kenneth Gifford, 22, said he backed Crawford as a stand against Musk’s financial influence in politics.
“I want an actual, respectable democracy,” Gifford said.
Crawford’s victory solidifies the court’s liberal majority, ensuring its influence on critical state issues for years to come.
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