Wisconsin Supreme Court election: Key takeaways and implications

Wednesday 02 April 2025 - 14:30

By: Zahouani Ilham

Wisconsin Supreme Court election: Key takeaways and implications

Liberal Judge Susan Crawford Secures Victory

Liberal judge Susan Crawford, backed by Democrats, won a pivotal seat on Wisconsin’s Supreme Court, preserving the court’s four-to-three liberal majority. Her opponent, Republican-supported conservative Brad Schimel, received significant financial backing from billionaire Elon Musk, a key ally of former President Donald Trump.

A Politicized Judicial Race

Although Supreme Courts are meant to be impartial, judicial elections in Wisconsin have increasingly mirrored partisan battles. Both parties aimed to influence the court’s composition, knowing its decisions could impact crucial policy issues.

Trump’s Influence and Wisconsin’s Swing State Status

Wisconsin was a key battleground in the 2024 presidential election, where Trump narrowly defeated Kamala Harris. His endorsement of Schimel was part of broader efforts to solidify conservative influence, but Crawford’s win signaled limitations to Trump’s political reach.

Elon Musk’s Costly Loss

Musk, through various political action committees, invested $21 million to support Schimel, making this judicial race the most expensive in U.S. history, with nearly $99 million spent in total. Despite his financial backing, Musk failed to sway the outcome, highlighting potential limits to his political influence.

Voter ID Amendment Passes

While Musk’s candidate lost, conservatives secured a victory with the approval of a voter ID amendment to Wisconsin’s constitution, reinforcing existing ID requirements for voters and making it harder to repeal them.

Implications for Future Elections

The Wisconsin Supreme Court will play a key role in shaping policies on reproductive rights and electoral redistricting. The election outcome suggests that while Trump and Musk remain influential, their ability to dictate electoral outcomes may be weaker than expected.