Democrat-backed Wisconsin Supreme Court candidate Judge Susan Crawford speaks after voters elected her to the state Supreme Court, at her election night headquarters in Madison, Wisconsin, U.S. April 1, 2025. REUTERS/Vincent Alban
Wisconsin Supreme Court Election Maintains Liberal Majority
Election Results
Wisconsin voters elected Susan Crawford to the state Supreme Court on Tuesday, ensuring the court retains its 4-3 liberal majority. The election result is considered a setback for former President Donald Trump and business magnate Elon Musk, who supported her conservative opponent, Brad Schimel.
The judicial contest became the most expensive in U.S. history, with more than $90 million spent by candidates, political parties, and external groups, according to the Brennan Center for Justice at New York University. Crawford, a county judge, defeated Schimel, a former Republican state attorney general and county judge, by a nine-point margin, leading by approximately 191,000 votes with 88% of the vote counted. Schimel conceded the race in a phone call to Crawford and during a speech to his supporters.
Campaign and Political Influence
The balance of the Wisconsin Supreme Court was at stake in the election, prompting significant financial contributions. Musk and affiliated political groups spent more than $21 million in support of Schimel. Crawford characterized the race as a battle between herself and out-of-state interests.
“As a little girl growing up in Chippewa Falls, I never could have imagined taking on the richest man in the world for justice in Wisconsin. And we won!” Crawford stated in her victory speech in Madison, the state capital.
While Trump did not publicly comment on the Supreme Court election, he acknowledged the approval of a Wisconsin ballot measure requiring enhanced voter identification.
National Democratic leaders hailed Crawford’s victory as an important step toward their broader electoral goals. Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin stated, “Tonight, the people of Wisconsin squarely rejected the influence of Elon Musk, Donald Trump, and billionaire special interests.”
Voter Sentiment
Wisconsin voters recognized the broader implications of the election. West Roberts, a 26-year-old voter in Madison, emphasized the importance of supporting ordinary citizens over billionaires. Conversely, Schimel supporter Gary Christenson, a retiree in Genesee, expressed concerns that a liberal court majority could hinder efforts to reduce government size.
Florida Congressional Elections
In separate elections, two Republican candidates won special congressional races in Florida, securing U.S. House seats vacated due to Trump administration appointments. These victories increased the Republican majority in the House of Representatives to 220-213.
Republican state Senator Randy Fine won a seat in a district that includes Daytona Beach, defeating Democrat Josh Weil. Fine’s margin of victory was approximately 14 points, compared to the 33-point margin previously secured by Michael Waltz, who now serves as Trump’s National Security Advisor.
In a separate race near Pensacola, Republican state Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis defeated Democrat Gay Valimont by nearly 15 points. The district was previously held by Matt Gaetz, who had won by 32 points before being nominated as Attorney General by Trump.
Implications for Wisconsin’s Political Landscape
The Wisconsin Supreme Court is expected to rule on key issues, including voting rights and election laws ahead of the 2026 midterms and the 2028 presidential election. Wisconsin remains a critical battleground state, with Trump winning the state in November by less than one percentage point—the narrowest margin of any state in that election.
Additionally, the court may decide on the future of abortion rights in Wisconsin and could reconsider a Republican-backed law that reduced collective bargaining rights for public-sector employees.
Musk’s Role in the Election
Elon Musk played a prominent role in the Wisconsin Supreme Court race. His political organization, the Department of Government Efficiency, is overseeing cost-cutting efforts in the federal government under Trump. Musk held a rally shortly before the election, where his primary political action committee (PAC) distributed $1 million checks to two attendees.
Musk, the CEO of Tesla, spent more than $250 million in support of Trump’s presidential campaign and pledged financial incentives to volunteers for voter recruitment efforts. He also offered $100 to individuals who uploaded photos holding Schimel campaign materials.
Musk emphasized the election’s broader implications, particularly in relation to redistricting. The Wisconsin Supreme Court may be called upon to rule on political map redrawing, a decision that could impact the balance of power in the U.S. House of Representatives and influence Trump’s ability to govern.
Campaign Financing
Crawford’s campaign received significant financial backing from Democratic donors, including philanthropist George Soros and Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker. Their contributions provided additional support to her candidacy in one of the most closely watched judicial elections in recent history.
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