Wisconsin’s upcoming supreme court race is shaping up to be a costly affair, with the latest fundraising numbers indicating a high-stakes battle ahead. Liberal Dane County Judge Susan Crawford revealed that she raised a substantial $2.8 million in 2024, a figure described by her campaign as “a historic sum surpassing any previous Wisconsin Supreme Court campaign, including that of right-wing candidate Brad Schimel.”
In contrast, Schimel reported a total of $2.2 million raised for the same period, with $1.5 million of that sum collected in the latter half of the year. Crawford outpaced Schimel in fundraising during the same six-month period, accumulating $2.4 million. Both candidates emphasized the significance of contributions from Wisconsin residents, with Crawford’s campaign highlighting support from donors in 71 out of the state’s 72 counties, totaling over 8,000 contributions from nearly 6,000 individual backers. Crawford’s campaign boasts a substantial $2.1 million in cash on hand as they enter 2025.
Schimel’s campaign, on the other hand, noted that a significant majority of its donors—98%—hail from within Wisconsin. With contributions spanning 70 of the state’s 72 counties, Schimel’s war chest stands at $1.8 million heading into the new year, exceeding the historical fundraising benchmarks set by conservative Supreme Court candidates in Wisconsin.
The substantial fundraising figures indicate that the race for Wisconsin Supreme Court is likely to attract a flood of financial support. The previous election in 2023 between conservative Dan Kelly and liberal Justice Janet Protasiewicz set a new spending record, with a staggering $50 million poured into the campaign, making it the most costly judicial race in U.S. history. Many observers anticipate that the upcoming contest between Schimel and Crawford in April could surpass this record.
The retirement of longtime liberal Justice Ann Walsh Bradley has added further significance to the upcoming election, as the vacancy left by her departure could potentially shift control of the Wisconsin Supreme Court back to conservative hands. As the candidates gear up for a fierce battle, the financial stakes are higher than ever, setting the stage for a closely watched and fiercely contested race for the state’s highest judicial position.
