The Wisconsin Supreme Court race between liberal candidate Susan Crawford and conservative candidate Brad Schimel has become a referendum on Elon Musk’s involvement in politics.
Wisconsin Republican Party chair Brian Schimming claims Democrats are focusing on Mr. Musk to distract voters from traditional judicial campaign issues like constitutional interpretation and the rule of law.
Mr. Schimming suggests Democrats need this strategy because their base is “depressed” and “disillusioned.” The April 1 election will determine whether the court maintains liberal control or shifts to a conservative majority, with significant implications for cases involving abortion rights, redistricting, labor unions, and election laws.
The contest serves as an early indicator of the national political climate under Mr. Trump’s second administration, in which Mr. Musk plays a prominent role. As head of the Department of Government Efficiency, Mr. Musk has angered Democrats with his efforts to downsize federal government and criticize federal judges.
According to the Brennan Center for Justice, Musk-backed political action committees have spent over $13 million supporting Mr. Schimel’s campaign. America PAC also generated controversy by offering $100 to Wisconsin voters who signed petitions opposing “activist judges.”
Charles Franklin, director of the Marquette Law School Poll, notes Democrats are betting Mr. Musk’s involvement will motivate their voters but cautions this strategy remains “untested.” Their polling shows 97% of Democrats and 56% of Independents believe Mr. Musk is “disrupting programs required by law” rather than implementing Mr. Trump’s agenda.
Mr. Trump, who won Wisconsin in 2024 and has endorsed Mr. Schimel, carried the state in the presidential election. Wisconsin Democratic Party chair Ben Wikler stated that Democrats are aggressively tying Mr. Schimel to Mr. Musk, believing public distaste for “the world’s richest man” will energize Democratic voters.
Ms. Crawford has begun featuring Mr. Musk in her television advertisements, while Mr. Musk has warned that a Crawford victory could lead to congressional redistricting favorable to Democrats, potentially flipping the House and hampering his cost-cutting initiatives.
The race represents the first high-profile contest of the 2025 election cycle and will test whether Democrats’ anti-Musk strategy proves effective in mobilizing voters.
Read more: Elon Musk looms large over Wisconsin’s Supreme Court race
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