Frustration within democratic party has some looking for new leadership
Frustration with leadership leads to calls for shakeup inside Democratic party
Democrats are hoping to capitalize on anti-Elon Musk sentiments ahead of a highly anticipated Wisconsin state Supreme Court election on Tuesday.
The statewide race has garnered nationwide attention − and dollars. Seen as a potential bellwether for next year’s midterm elections and real-time referendum on the second Trump administration, the face-off in the Badger State will decide if Wisconsin’s highest court leans left or right on issues like abortion policy and voter ID laws.
Both parties say the stakes are high, and President Donald Trump’s billionaire ally has upped the ante by pouring almost $20 million into the conservative judicial candidate’s campaign.
While Musk and Trump have gone all in on the race on behalf of Republican Brad Schimel, Democrats are launching attacks aimed at benefiting their candidate, Susan Crawford.
In a press release shared with USA TODAY, the Democratic National Committee announced they are publishing ads over the weekend in several local Wisconsin papers targeting the world’s richest man.
“Elon Musk is trying to buy a Wisconsin Supreme Court seat for Brad Schimel,” the ad reads in bolded letters, above a black and white photo of Musk making a gesture many have compared to a Nazi salute.
Schimel, currently a Waukesha County Judge, is up against Crawford, a liberal Dane County judge, on Tuesday, April 1. If the conservative comes out on top, some Republicans are already poised to give Musk the credit.
“If we do win it, again, we have to thank Elon for all the support he’s given this race,” Sen. Ron Johnson of Wisconsin said during a live discussion with Musk and Schimel on X last weekend.
In their first paid media move against Musk so far, the DNC is calling out what they say is election meddling.
“Billionaires have no business deciding our elections and Wisconsinites deserve a Supreme Court justice who looks out for them, not the ultra-wealthy,” DNC Chair Ken Martin. “Now and forever, Wisconsin is not for sale.”
A contingent of wealthy Democratic donors from outside Wisconsin, including billionaire investor George Soros and Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, have also jumped into the race. Musk still remains the largest contributor by far, his spending almost 10 times that of Soros.
A poll by Marquette Law School earlier this month found 41% of registered Wisconsin voters view Musk favorably, compared to 53% who view him unfavorably.