Wisconsin Supreme Court race attracts wealthy partisan donors
Wisconsin’s Supreme Court race has become the country’s most expensive judicial election ever. Billionaire Elon Musk is the biggest spender.
Liberal judge Susan Crawford has won Wisconsin’s high-stakes state Supreme Court race, beating her conservative opponent Brad Schimel late Tuesday evening, according to NBC News and CNN.
Her win comes despite billionaire Elon Musk pouring around $20 million into the Badger State race in attempts to see Schimel win and Crawford defeated. The entrepreneur had protested what he called “activist judges” and sought to reinforce President Donald Trump and Republican’s popularity.
With spending on both sides combined, this race broke records for the country’s most expensive court race. The final tally could surpass $100 million.
Crawford’s victory means Wisconsin’s highest court will lean 4-3 ideologically left, as hot button issues including abortion are up before the court.
The liberal candidate made support for abortion access key in her campaign. Currently a circuit court judge in Dane County, Crawford was at one point a private attorney and previously represented Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin.
Along with its in-state implications, the race in Wisconsin was also closely followed by both sides as a potential referendum on Trump, Musk and both parties’ popularity.
Also on Tuesday, the GOP held both Florida congressional seats contested in the special election, replacing former Reps. Mike Waltz and Matt Gaetz with fellow Republicans.