As Wisconsin prepares for its pivotal Supreme Court election, conservative leaders are mounting an intensive campaign to secure victory for Brad Schimel, President Donald Trump’s endorsed candidate. Billionaire Elon Musk has dramatically entered the race, showcasing conservatives’ resolve to claim this key judicial position.
Trump openly highlighted the significance of Schimel’s candidacy, calling his opponent, Dane County Judge Susan Crawford, a “Radical Left Liberal.” He urged Wisconsin voters to recognize the broader conservative movement’s reliance on this race, warning that a Crawford victory would weaken Wisconsin’s role in national conservative goals.
Musk, using resources from his America PAC, has poured more than $20 million into Wisconsin to support Schimel. His latest tactic involved announcing an unprecedented giveaway — two $1 million prizes to Wisconsin residents for signing petitions against activist judges. This action quickly spurred a legal challenge from Attorney General Josh Kaul, who seeks to block Musk’s giveaway, alleging it violates Wisconsin election law.
In response, Democratic organizations have produced advertisements attacking Musk’s political motives, portraying him as an out-of-control billionaire whose proposed policies could cut vital social programs. Democrats aim to frame Schimel as Musk’s willing ally, claiming his election would bolster Musk’s controversial policies.
Schimel himself has sought to avoid entanglement in Musk’s controversy, stating simply, “That’s his business. I don’t give legal advice.” Despite distancing himself from the specifics of Musk’s proposal, Schimel indicated he supports the petition’s broader message.
Obama has entered the race by publicly endorsing Crawford, describing her as a candidate dedicated to protecting Wisconsin voters’ fundamental rights. His intervention highlights Democrats’ concern about conservative judicial influence, particularly in swing states like Wisconsin.
A crucial issue for conservatives in this election remains former Gov. Scott Walker’s Act 10, which significantly reduced the political influence of public-sector unions by ending mandatory union dues collection. Crawford has vocally opposed this legislation, fueling conservative criticism that unions often misuse taxpayer dollars to support Democratic political ambitions.
Total election spending, surpassing $80 million, underlines the intense national interest in this Wisconsin race. The significant financial involvement by Musk has been matched by leading liberal donors like George Soros and Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, setting up a high-stakes confrontation in the final days before voters head to the polls.
