Musk's Millions Spark Historic Battle for Wisconsin Supreme Court Control

Paul Riverbank, 4/2/2025 Wisconsin's Supreme Court election has morphed into a remarkable national battleground, with unprecedented $99 million spending and extraordinary intervention from political heavyweights. This race transcends state boundaries, potentially reshaping Wisconsin's judicial landscape while raising crucial questions about money's role in state court elections.

I've covered judicial races for two decades, but nothing quite compares to what unfolded in Wisconsin. Picture this: Milwaukee poll workers racing through rush-hour traffic with boxes of emergency ballots while voters waited patiently in lines stretching around city blocks. Seven polling locations ran dry – a testament to what election chief Paulina Gutierrez called "historic turnout."

The race between Brad Schimel and Susan Crawford morphed into something far bigger than Wisconsin's borders. When you've got Elon Musk flying in to personally campaign (and, rather extraordinarily, handing out million-dollar checks to petition signers), you know we're in uncharted territory. The final price tag? A staggering $99 million – enough to make even seasoned political observers catch their breath.

Let's be clear about what's really at stake here. This isn't just about filling a vacant seat left by retiring Justice Ann Walsh Bradley. The winner gets a decade-long term that could flip the court's razor-thin 4-3 liberal majority. Think abortion rights, union powers, voting rules, and those all-important district maps that shape political power for years to come.

Out in Waunakee, I met Taylor Sullivan, an Iraq War vet who backed Schimel. "I support the police as much as he does," Sullivan told me, gripping his coffee cup outside the local polling station. Across town in Milwaukee, 22-year-old Kenneth Gifford saw things differently. The college student cast his vote for Crawford, explaining he wanted "an actual, respectable democracy."

The national heavyweights certainly sensed the magnitude. Trump and Musk lined up behind Schimel, while Obama and Soros threw their weight behind Crawford. Musk's involvement raised eyebrows – $3 million directly to the campaign, with affiliated groups pumping in another $18 million.

Crawford didn't mince words about the billionaire's influence. "I don't think it's democratic," she declared Tuesday, though Schimel tried downplaying the national spotlight, insisting "it's the Wisconsin voters that matter."

While last year's Supreme Court race saw liberals cruise to an 11-point victory, this contest had everyone on edge until the final vote. Whatever the outcome, Wisconsin's political landscape won't look the same tomorrow. A Crawford win locks in liberal control until at least 2028. If Schimel prevails, we're looking at another high-stakes court battle next year.

One thing's certain – Wisconsin just showed us that judicial elections aren't the quiet, down-ballot affairs they used to be. They're now center stage in America's political drama, complete with celebrity billionaires, nine-figure spending, and implications that'll ripple far beyond the Badger State's borders.

Wisconsin's Supreme Court showdown yesterday wasn't just another election – it was a seismic political event that left polling stations scrambling for extra ballots and shattered every spending record in state judicial history.I've covered judicial races for two decades, but nothing quite compares to what unfolded in Wisconsin. Picture this: Milwaukee poll workers racing through rush-hour traffic with boxes of emergency ballots while voters waited patiently in lines stretching around city blocks. Seven polling locations ran dry – a testament to what election chief Paulina Gutierrez called "historic turnout."The race between Brad Schimel and Susan Crawford morphed into something far bigger than Wisconsin's borders. When you've got Elon Musk flying in to personally campaign (and, rather extraordinarily, handing out million-dollar checks to petition signers), you know we're in uncharted territory. The final price tag? A staggering $99 million – enough to make even seasoned political observers catch their breath.Let's be clear about what's really at stake here. This isn't just about filling a vacant seat left by retiring Justice Ann Walsh Bradley. The winner gets a decade-long term that could flip the court's razor-thin 4-3 liberal majority. Think abortion rights, union powers, voting rules, and those all-important district maps that shape political power for years to come.Out in Waunakee, I met Taylor Sullivan, an Iraq War vet who backed Schimel. "I support the police as much as he does," Sullivan told me, gripping his coffee cup outside the local polling station. Across town in Milwaukee, 22-year-old Kenneth Gifford saw things differently. The college student cast his vote for Crawford, explaining he wanted "an actual, respectable democracy."The national heavyweights certainly sensed the magnitude. Trump and Musk lined up behind Schimel, while Obama and Soros threw their weight behind Crawford. Musk's involvement raised eyebrows – $3 million directly to the campaign, with affiliated groups pumping in another $18 million.Crawford didn't mince words about the billionaire's influence. "I don't think it's democratic," she declared Tuesday, though Schimel tried downplaying the national spotlight, insisting "it's the Wisconsin voters that matter."While last year's Supreme Court race saw liberals cruise to an 11-point victory, this contest had everyone on edge until the final vote. Whatever the outcome, Wisconsin's political landscape won't look the same tomorrow. A Crawford win locks in liberal control until at least 2028. If Schimel prevails, we're looking at another high-stakes court battle next year.One thing's certain – Wisconsin just showed us that judicial elections aren't the quiet, down-ballot affairs they used to be. They're now center stage in America's political drama, complete with celebrity billionaires, nine-figure spending, and implications that'll ripple far beyond the Badger State's borders.