MADISON, Wis. (AP) — The Democratic-supported contender for a seat on the Wisconsin Supreme Court, in a pivotal race determining the balance of power, publicly denounced Elon Musk’s role, asserting on Tuesday that the wealthiest individual in the world was attempting to purchase a place on the state’s highest court. A political action committee affiliated with Musk, a close confidant of President Donald Trump, has already spent $1 million on the Wisconsin Supreme Court campaign. Additionally, a conservative nonprofit that has received contributions from Musk, Building America’s Future, has allocated $1.6 million for TV ads attacking the liberal contender.
Musk is backing Brad Schimel, a judge from Waukesha County with a history of support for Trump, having even attended Trump’s inauguration last month. Schimel is up against Susan Crawford, a judge from Dane County supported by the Wisconsin Democratic Party and major Democratic donors like George Soros. The forthcoming April 1 election is poised to be a significant event, serving as an early gauge for the political landscape post-Trump’s re-election victory.
The election outcome holds immense importance as it will decide whether the Wisconsin Supreme Court maintains its liberal majority, with crucial cases involving abortion, union rights, electoral laws, and congressional redistricting awaiting resolution or upcoming hearings before the court. Crawford, addressing the Wisconsin Counties Association, accused Musk of attempting to secure a favorable outcome by supporting Schimel, who is perceived to align with Musk’s conservative views.
Furthermore, Musk’s America PAC announced substantial funding for canvassing and field operations in Wisconsin, emphasizing the need to vote to prevent liberal judges from impeding President Trump’s legislative agenda. Crawford expressed concerns about Musk’s involvement and his ties to Trump, suggesting that Musk could be influencing state-level litigations related to the administration’s policies.
In response to Crawford’s criticisms, Schimel’s spokesperson dismissed her accusations as an attempt to divert attention from her own controversial legal challenges. The spokesperson highlighted the significant financial backing Crawford has received from Soros, emphasizing the difference in support between the two campaigns.
As the race intensifies, the influence of billionaire donors and high-profile endorsements continue to shape the narrative of the Wisconsin Supreme Court election.
JB Pritzker. Crawford stated that she has never made any promises to her donors and has not been actively seeking contributions in the same manner as Schimel. She highlighted the endorsements she has received from over 75 current and retired judges, court commissioners, and state Supreme Court justices as evidence of her claim to be the sole nonpartisan contender in the race. In fact, all four of the Wisconsin Supreme Court’s current liberal justices, along with one former liberal justice, have thrown their support behind Crawford.
