Liberal Candidate Projected to Win Critical Wisconsin Supreme Court Election

In a critical Wisconsin election, liberal Judge Susan Crawford is projected to defeat conservative Brad Schimel, backed by Donald Trump, preserving the progressive majority in the state Supreme Court. The election, heavily funded by both Democratic and Republican groups, turned into a referendum on Trump’s policies and involved significant financial contributions from billionaire Elon Musk. Crawford’s win is seen as a response to the energized Democratic base opposing Trump’s influence.

On Tuesday, a liberal candidate is expected to triumph in a momentous election in Wisconsin, which maintains control over the progressive majority within the state’s Supreme Court. This election is poised to impact key issues such as congressional redistricting, voting rights, labor rights, and abortion. Dane County Circuit Court Judge Susan Crawford is projected to defeat Brad Schimel, the conservative-aligned candidate backed by former President Donald Trump.

The race became the most costly judicial election in U.S. history, influenced by substantial financial contributions from both Democrat and Republican groups outside Wisconsin, transforming it into a referendum on Trump’s controversial policies during the early months of his second term. Furthermore, billionaire Elon Musk, who is not on the ballot, also featured prominently in this electoral battle, having contributed around $20 million supporting Schimel through affiliated groups.

Musk’s involvement included a $1 million giveaway at a rally to Wisconsin voters who cast their ballots and supported a petition against “activist judges.” Despite a lawsuit from Wisconsin’s Democrat Attorney General seeking to halt these payments, the state Supreme Court declined to intervene. Musk proclaimed the election as a crucial moment in the Trump agenda, asserting its significant implications for civilizational future.

Additionally, the election saw major contributions from right-wing donors such as Richard and Elizabeth Uihlein, who supported Schimel’s campaign with millions. Schimel expressed surprise at the election’s dynamics, stating that external influences might shape voter perceptions of the race, which he sought to frame as a referendum on Wisconsin rather than national politics.

Schimel emphasized a vigorous voter outreach strategy, planning numerous rallies and leveraging support from conservative organizations like Americans for Prosperity, who connected with approximately 600,000 voters statewide. This election’s outcome is anticipated to deeply affect upcoming congressional redistricting, critical for the Republican party.

As the election approached, Crawford emerged as a significant contender, benefitting from an energized Democratic base aiming to counter Trump’s influence. She reframed Musk’s financial involvement as an attempt by a billionaire to impose an outsider’s control over the Wisconsin Supreme Court, stressing that the election will determine essential rights and freedoms across the state. Despite fundraising challenges, legislative financier George Soros contributed around $2 million to support her campaign.

Ultimately, Crawford and Schimel were vying for the seat of retiring justice Ann Walsh Bradley, with the liberal justices holding a narrow 4-3 majority before the election. The event attracted high-profile supporters from both sides, including Bernie Sanders and Donald Trump Jr., highlighting the national stakes of this local election.

The 2025 Wisconsin Supreme Court election exemplifies the intersection of local judicial contests and national political climates, with substantial implications for pivotal issues such as redistricting and civil rights. Judge Susan Crawford’s projected victory underscores the effectiveness of mobilizing anti-Trump sentiments among voters, particularly in the context of substantial outside financial influences. The election’s outcome may dictate the course of future political and electoral landscapes in the state.

Original Source: www.foxnews.com