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3mo ago

Wisconsin Supreme Court Race Draws Record Spending and National Attention

Elon Musk's political action committees and Democratic donors escalate funding in a pivotal election shaping key state policies.

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FILE - This combination of file photos shows Brad Schimel, former Republican attorney general Brad Schimel, in Madison, Wis., Jan. 5, 2015, and Susan Crawford in June 2024. (AP Photo/Andy Manis, Susan Crawford for Wisconsin, File)
Wisconsin Supreme Court candidate Susan Crawford takes questions at a news conference, Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2025, in Madison, Wisconsin. (AP Photo/Scott Bauer)
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Overview

  • The Wisconsin Supreme Court election on April 1 will determine the ideological balance of the court, impacting major cases on abortion, redistricting, union rights, and election laws.
  • Conservative candidate Brad Schimel has received over $4 million in support from Elon Musk's PACs, including America PAC and Building America's Future, which have funded ads and voter outreach.
  • Liberal candidate Susan Crawford has received significant backing from Democratic donors, including George Soros and Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, with over $3 million contributed by the state Democratic Party.
  • Musk's involvement has drawn criticism, with Crawford accusing him of attempting to influence the court for personal and political gain, particularly regarding Tesla's pending lawsuit against Wisconsin over dealership restrictions.
  • Musk-funded ads attacking Crawford faced backlash after mistakenly using a photo of a different Susan Crawford, highlighting concerns about the accuracy and ethics of campaign advertising.