Susan Crawford’s Victory in the Wisconsin Supreme Court Race: A Defiant Stand Against Elon Musk’s Influence.
On April 1, 2025, Susan Crawford emerged victorious in a fiercely contested race for a seat on the Wisconsin Supreme Court, securing a narrow 4-3 liberal majority on the battleground state’s highest court. This win marked a significant moment in American judicial elections, not only for its political implications but also for its defiance of billionaire Elon Musk’s unprecedented financial intervention. Crawford, a Dane County circuit judge backed by Democrats, defeated Brad Schimel, a Waukesha County circuit judge and former Republican attorney general, in what became the most expensive state Supreme Court race in U.S. history. With national attention fixed on this election as the first major battleground state contest of Donald Trump’s second term, Crawford’s triumph underscored a rejection of external influence and a reaffirmation of local democratic values.
The stakes in this election were extraordinarily high, with the Wisconsin Supreme Court poised to rule on critical issues such as abortion rights, union bargaining power, and congressional redistricting. Crawford’s campaign leaned heavily on her record as a fair and impartial jurist, contrasting sharply with Schimel’s alignment with conservative heavyweights, including Trump and Musk. Musk, who poured over $15 million into supporting Schimel, framed the race as pivotal to “the future of civilization,” citing potential redistricting that could shift congressional power away from Republicans. Despite his financial muscle, which included controversial tactics like offering $100 to voters for signing petitions and handing out $1 million checks at rallies, Musk’s efforts fell short, highlighting the limits of money in swaying Wisconsin voters.
Crawford’s victory was not just a personal triumph but a strategic win for Democrats, who turned Musk into a central villain of the campaign narrative. The Democratic Party of Wisconsin launched a “People v. Musk” town-hall tour, featuring figures like Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, to rally voters against what they portrayed as an outsider billionaire attempting to buy judicial influence. Crawford herself capitalized on this sentiment, famously referring to Schimel as “Elon Schimel” during debates and emphasizing her roots as a Chippewa Falls native taking on “the richest man in the world.” Her victory speech on election night echoed this theme, celebrating a stand against an “unprecedented attack on our democracy” and asserting that “justice does not have a price.”
The financial scale of this election was staggering, with total spending exceeding $90 million, shattering previous records for judicial races. While Musk and his affiliated groups, such as America PAC, contributed heavily to Schimel’s campaign, Democrats maintained a slight edge in ad spending, according to AdImpact. Crawford’s campaign also drew support from liberal billionaires like George Soros and Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, though their contributions paled in comparison to Musk’s. This financial arms race underscored the growing politicization of ostensibly nonpartisan judicial elections, raising questions about the integrity of the judiciary in an era of mega-donors and nationalized state races.
For Wisconsin, Crawford’s win ensures that liberals retain control of the Supreme Court for at least another year, with her 10-year term beginning August 1, 2025. This majority could prove decisive in upcoming cases, including challenges to the state’s 1849 abortion ban and a potential revisiting of congressional maps that currently favor Republicans. Musk’s interest in the race was partly driven by a Tesla lawsuit challenging a Wisconsin law banning carmakers from owning dealerships—a case that could eventually reach the court Crawford will now join. Her victory thus represents not only a political setback for Musk and Trump but also a potential roadblock to their broader policy agendas in the state.
The broader implications of this election extend beyond Wisconsin’s borders. As the first major electoral test of Trump’s second term, Crawford’s success offers Democrats a playbook for countering the influence of Trump-aligned billionaires like Musk. By framing the race as a defense of local sovereignty against external overreach, Democrats tapped into a potent vein of voter sentiment, particularly in a state known for its independent streak. The high turnout, nearing 2022 midterm levels, further signaled that Wisconsinites were energized by the stakes, refusing to let their judiciary be swayed by out-of-state money or power.
In the end, Susan Crawford’s win on April 1, 2025, stands as a testament to the resilience of grassroots democracy in the face of overwhelming financial pressure. While Musk’s millions and Trump’s endorsement loomed large, it was Crawford’s message of fairness, impartiality, and resistance to outside influence that resonated with voters. As she prepares to take her seat on the Wisconsin Supreme Court, the state—and the nation—will watch closely to see how this liberal majority shapes the future of justice in one of America’s most pivotal swing states.
