Crawford Triumphs Over Musk-Backed Opponent, Keeping Liberal Majority in Wisconsin Supreme Court

GREEN BAY, Wis.—Judge Susan Crawford, who received backing from local Democrats and substantial financial support from out-of-state donors, has clinched the most costly Supreme Court position in state history.

Crawford easily triumphed over Brad Schimel, a previous Republican attorney general endorsed by President Donald Trump, although her theoretical opponent was tech mogul Elon Musk.

With 70 percent reporting, Crawford secured 55 percent of the vote against Schimel’s 44 percent, prompting the Associated Press to call the race at 10:16 p.m. ET.

Despite the influx of millions from out-of-state contributors, Crawford adeptly framed the contest as an initiative to prevent Musk from determining the election’s outcome through his financial involvement with Schimel.

Both candidates garnered support from tens of thousands of donors nationwide. While direct contributions over $20,000 to a political candidate are restricted, larger sums can be channeled through state political parties or political action committees.

Musk donated $3 million to the Republican Party of Wisconsin, while billionaires George Soros and JB Pritzker contributed $2 million and $1.5 million, respectively, to the Democratic Party of Wisconsin.

Additionally, Musk distributed two $1 million checks to individuals who signed a petition against judicial activism, which he framed as a public relations effort on behalf of Schimel. The America PAC, associated with Musk, also provided robust support to Schimel.

The flood of resources led to approximately $21 million spent by Crawford’s campaign and about $10 million by Schimel’s campaign, according to the latest financial reports. Over $81 million was spent by other organizations supporting the candidates, as reported by the Brennan Center for Justice.

The conservative perspective viewed the election as a crucial contest for the state’s and the nation’s future.

“What’s happening [in this election] is a vote on which party governs the U.S. House of Representatives,” Musk stated on March 30. “The party in charge of the House largely steers the country’s direction, which in turn influences Western civilization.”

Prominent Wisconsin Republicans echoed this sentiment.

“We are fully aware of Susan Crawford’s capabilities,” Senator Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) remarked during a town hall meeting hosted by Musk. “She’ll join a group that will potentially redistrict Derek Van Orden and Bryan Styles’ districts.”

Johnson expressed concern that this would jeopardize the Republican majority in the House. “I certainly do not wish to be embroiled in a third impeachment trial for a president. That’s what looms ahead,” he warned.

Former Congressman and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy indicated that the entire nation would be observing the prediction for this election outcome. He labeled Crawford a “radical leftist” opposing school choice and voter identification laws while intending to redraw congressional districts.

Allies of Crawford portrayed the race as a referendum on Musk and his contributions to Schimel, which notably included the two $1 million checks.

“Elon Musk is attempting to purchase Wisconsin, and we intend to demonstrate that we are not for sale,” asserted Kristin Lyerly, 54, from Green Bay, who organized a sidewalk protest against Musk during a town hall meeting on March 30.

An Ashwaubenon resident from Brown County bluntly expressed his intentions after voting for Crawford on election day, stating, “I came to vote against Elon Musk,” in an interview with The Epoch Times.

Voters voiced their dissatisfaction with the overwhelming amount of campaign messaging resulting from the substantial expenditures. Some indicated to The Epoch Times that they attempted to ignore the proxy communication and concentrate on the candidates themselves.

Kyle Thomas, 64, of Ashwaubenon, conveyed to The Epoch Times that while he votes in every election, “it’s becoming increasingly difficult with all the political [nonsense].”

“There must be changes regarding how these campaigns are financed,” Thomas expressed.

Phil Cigler, 44, of Green Bay, considered voting a civic obligation and made efforts to disregard the relentless electronic messaging. “I don’t focus on that too much. I evaluate my handouts and flyers and form my opinions based on that,” Cigler mentioned.

Courtney Koslowski, 28, from Ashwaubenon, shared with The Epoch Times that she prepared for voting by studying the candidates to avoid undue influence from others’ opinions. “That’s sometimes challenging,” she remarked. “But it’s essential to uphold your morals and values.”

Three prominent betting markets indicated odds favoring Crawford at more than 80:20.

By March 30, nearly 675,000 absentee ballots had been returned, over double the amount returned in the same period the previous year. A chief inspector at a Green Bay polling place serving three wards reported that voter turnout was comparable to other spring elections.

Democrat-backed candidates have achieved victory in three consecutive Supreme Court elections, outpacing their Republican counterparts in funding by $40 million to $15 million.

The court is now deemed to have a 4-3 liberal-leaning majority, which will be solidified as Crawford succeeds Justice Ann Walsh Bradley, who is retiring at the end of July.

Crawford has served as a circuit court judge in Dane County since 2018. She holds a degree from the University of Iowa College of Law and has previously worked as an attorney in the Wisconsin Attorney General’s office and as legal counsel to former Democratic Governor James Doyle.