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- Dane County circuit judge Susan Crawford won the Wisconsin Supreme Court election, maintaining the liberal 4-3 majority.
- Despite backing from Donald Trump and Elon Musk, conservative candidate Brad Schimel lost by about 10 percentage points.
- The election was the most expensive judicial race in history, with total spending approaching $100 million.
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Quick Brief
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Essential Context
The 2025 Wisconsin Supreme Court election was held on April 1, 2025, to fill a seat left by retiring Justice Ann Walsh Bradley. The election saw significant national attention and record-breaking spending.
Core Players
- Susan Crawford – Dane County Circuit Court judge and liberal candidate
- Brad Schimel – Waukesha County Circuit Court judge, former Wisconsin attorney general, and conservative candidate
- Donald Trump – President Trump who endorsed Schimel
- Elon Musk – Billionaire who financially supported Schimel
Key Numbers
- $100 million – Total spending in the election, a new record for judicial races
- $25 million – Amount spent by Elon Musk in support of Schimel
- 10 percentage points – Margin by which Crawford won the election
- 55.05% – Percentage of votes received by Crawford
- 44.95% – Percentage of votes received by Schimel
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The Catalyst
The election was triggered by the retirement of Justice Ann Walsh Bradley after 30 years on the Wisconsin Supreme Court. Her seat was crucial in maintaining the liberal majority on the court.
The involvement of high-profile figures like Donald Trump and Elon Musk added significant national attention to the race.
Inside Forces
The campaign saw heavy financial support from both sides. National Democrats and Democratic Party-aligned donors backed Crawford, while the Republican Party of Wisconsin and Republican-aligned donors supported Schimel.
Elon Musk’s financial backing of Schimel was particularly notable, with Musk spending over $25 million on the campaign.
Power Dynamics
Despite the significant financial and political backing from Trump and Musk, Crawford’s victory secured the liberal majority on the Wisconsin Supreme Court until at least August 2028.
The election results reflect the ongoing political divide in Wisconsin and the national interest in state judicial elections.
Outside Impact
The outcome of this election could have broader implications for issues such as abortion, redistricting, and corporate regulations, including those affecting companies like Tesla.
The high spending in this election also highlights the influence of money in judicial races, a trend that began with the 2010 Citizens United v. FEC Supreme Court decision.
Future Forces
Looking ahead, the Wisconsin Supreme Court is likely to face several critical cases that could shape state and national policies.
- Abortion rights challenges
- Redistricting disputes
- Corporate and regulatory cases involving companies like Tesla
Data Points
- April 1, 2025 – Date of the Wisconsin Supreme Court election
- 10 years – Term length for the elected justice
- 98.8% – Reporting percentage as of 3:46 a.m. CDT on election day
- 2,337,564 – Total votes cast in the election
The outcome of this election underscores the intense political and financial battles shaping the judicial landscape in Wisconsin and beyond. As the court prepares to address critical issues, the influence of national figures and deep-pocketed donors will continue to be a focal point.
