Wisconsin Election Result: Susan Crawford Wins Supreme Court Seat, Defeating Musk-Backed Opponent.
Susan Crawford has secured a seat on the Wisconsin Supreme Court ensuring that liberals retain their narrow 4-3 majority on the battleground state’s highest court. Her victory over conservative Brad Schimel, a Waukesha County circuit judge and former Republican attorney general, is a major political moment—one that also marks a significant defeat for Elon Musk, who spent millions in an unsuccessful attempt to boost Schimel’s campaign.
Crawford, a circuit judge in Dane County and a Democrat-backed candidate, won a 10-year term in what became the most expensive state Supreme Court race in U.S. history. The contest, which drew intense national attention, was the first major battleground election of President Donald Trump’s second term and an early test of political power heading into the 2026 midterms.
A Blow to Trump and Musk
The result is a setback not only for Schimel but also for Trump and Musk, who personally invested time and vast sums of money into the race. Trump endorsed Schimel late in the campaign, while Musk took an even more active role—spending over $15 million, visiting Wisconsin ahead of Election Day, and repeatedly posting about the race on his social media platform, X.
Democrats and progressive groups seized on Musk’s involvement, making him the central antagonist of the campaign. Crawford herself frequently positioned Musk as the villain in her speeches, and Democratic groups blasted his influence, arguing that he was attempting to buy a seat on the court to serve his own interests.
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“As a little girl growing up in Chippewa Falls, I never could have imagined that I’d be taking on the richest man in the world for justice in Wisconsin,” Crawford told supporters Tuesday night. “And we won.”
In a brief concession speech, Schimel admitted defeat, saying, “I knew I had to put my all in, but you gotta accept the results.”
The Stakes and the Strategy
Crawford’s victory ensures that liberals will maintain their majority on the Wisconsin Supreme Court for at least another year—a crucial advantage as the court is expected to rule on key cases concerning abortion rights, labor unions, and redistricting.
Despite Musk and his affiliated groups pouring more than $15 million into the race, Democrats ultimately maintained a narrow spending edge, according to AdImpact. Democratic-aligned groups framed Musk as attempting to “buy” Schimel’s seat, while the Wisconsin Democratic Party even launched a “People v. Musk” town-hall tour to highlight his attempts to influence state politics. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and other prominent Democratic surrogates joined the effort to criticize Musk’s role in the race.
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Adding fuel to the fire, Musk’s electric vehicle company, Tesla, is currently suing the state of Wisconsin over a law prohibiting carmakers from owning dealerships. That case could eventually reach the state Supreme Court, raising further concerns about Musk’s motives for getting involved in the election.
Musk’s involvement in voter outreach also drew scrutiny. He offered $100 payments to Wisconsin voters who signed a petition opposing “activist judges” and pledged $1 million to people willing to serve as spokespersons for the petition at a last-minute rally. Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul attempted, unsuccessfully, to block Musk’s initiative.
Interestingly, while Democrats focused their attacks on Musk, they largely avoided making the race about Trump—despite his endorsement of Schimel and active support from figures like Donald Trump Jr. and conservative group Turning Point USA.
Schimel, for his part, leaned into Trump’s support in the final stretch, likely in an attempt to energize the conservative base. He ran ads touting Trump’s endorsement and told canvassers that Trump “needs a support network” on the Wisconsin court system to help him battle legal challenges. However, this strategy failed to deliver a win.
A Resounding Defeat for Musk’s Influence
Schimel and Crawford also clashed over crime policy, though the state Supreme Court rarely deals with sentencing cases. Crawford’s campaign effectively hammered Schimel over past allegations that the Wisconsin Department of Justice, under his leadership, had mishandled thousands of untested rape kits. This issue, highlighted in campaign ads, likely played a role in swinging voters against him.
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A Satisfying Defeat for Musk’s Meddling
Crawford’s victory is not just a win for Wisconsin’s judicial balance—it’s a symbolic rebuke of billionaire influence in state politics. Musk, despite his wealth and media platform, was unable to buy this election, and his brand of political interference is clearly losing traction. Voters rejected his attempts to manipulate the race, proving that even his vast fortune has limits when faced with an engaged and informed electorate.
It’s refreshing to see that Musk’s influence is waning as people grow tired of his overreach. His repeated political interventions, often self-serving and out of touch with working-class voters, are losing their effectiveness. Crawford’s win is a testament to the power of grassroots organizing and a sign that even the wealthiest individuals cannot dictate democracy on their terms.
