Campaign spending has shattered previous records in the crucial Wisconsin Supreme Court race, as major donors from both political parties are pouring millions into the closely watched election that will determine the ideological balance of the state’s high court. Elon Musk, the billionaire tech entrepreneur, is demonstrating his increasing political clout following his significant support for President Donald Trump’s 2024 campaign.
In a bold move, Musk announced that he would be heading to Wisconsin for an event this Sunday to announce the winners of million-dollar giveaways organized by his super PAC, a controversial tactic he previously employed in last year’s election. Combined with his personal contributions and support from groups he has backed in the past, Musk’s total funding for the April 1 race has surpassed $20 million.
Musk’s involvement in the Wisconsin race showcases the significant financial resources he can deploy in upcoming campaigns as the 2026 midterm elections draw near. The leader of the Department of Government Efficiency has been making smaller direct contributions to GOP lawmakers, aligning himself with Trump as they solidify their influence within the party.
On the other side, Democratic mega-donors have also joined the fray. Notable liberal financier George Soros has donated $2 million to the state Democratic Party, while Illinois Governor JB Pritzker has given an additional $1.5 million.
Douglas Keith, senior counsel at the Brennan Center for Justice’s Judiciary Program, remarked, “What’s unfolding in Wisconsin is unprecedented compared to any other state. This race has seen funding levels akin to a US Senate race that could sway the balance of power in the Senate.”
Numerous PACs and undisclosed dark money groups have flooded the election with contributions from both ends of the political spectrum. With outside interest surging, the campaign spending has surpassed the previous national record for a judicial election, set at $51 million during another Wisconsin Supreme Court race in 2023.
Nonpartisan ads in the race have already racked up a total spending exceeding $70 million, with supporters of liberal candidate Susan Crawford outspending backers of conservative candidate Brad Schimel. Crawford’s campaign recently announced record-breaking fundraising totals, highlighting her financial edge over Schimel.
As the competition grows fiercer, millions are being funneled into voter mobilization efforts, including Musk’s super PAC giveaways, reflecting the strategic importance both parties place on the Wisconsin race as a barometer of political sentiment in a critical battleground state early in the second Trump administration.
New filings from the Wisconsin Republican Party reveal that Elon Musk, a prominent donor, has made significant contributions totaling $3 million. Musk’s donations, which include $2 million on March 20 and $1 million on February 19, can be transferred to support the campaign of Brad Schimel. Additionally, Musk’s super PAC, America PAC, has reported over $12 million in spending on various voter outreach efforts for the 2024 election, with plans to increase this amount by offering cash giveaways to petition signers to boost voter data collection and turnout.
The announcement of these cash giveaways has sparked legal action from Wisconsin’s Democratic Attorney General Josh Kaul, who aims to halt the distribution of funds by Musk’s PAC. Despite concerns raised by various groups over the campaign tactics employed, the Wisconsin Elections Commission has stated that many of these activities do not violate election laws.
Alongside Musk, other wealthy donors such as George Soros and J.B. Pritzker have also contributed substantial amounts to the Wisconsin Democratic Party for the Supreme Court race, further fueling the influx of outside money and sparking debates over campaign financing.
During a recent debate, the candidates engaged in a heated discussion over various issues. Susan Crawford criticized Elon Musk, accusing him of dangerous actions such as firing air traffic controllers and neglecting the avian flu crisis. She also raised concerns about Musk’s significant financial support for her opponent, Brad Schimel. In response, Schimel defended his campaign’s independence from Musk’s influence and criticized Crawford for her endorsement from Soros, whom he deemed “dangerous.”
Wisconsin Senator Ron Johnson expressed gratitude for Musk’s support in an online forum, acknowledging the impact it could have on the election outcome. Meanwhile, Crawford’s campaign highlighted the influence of megadonors on both sides and emphasized the stakes in the Supreme Court race, particularly regarding women’s healthcare decisions and abortion rights.
Pro-Crawford ads focused on highlighting Schimel’s stance on abortion rights, with one featuring a young woman expressing fear over his support for an old abortion law. Another ad criticized Schimel as the most extreme potential justice on the Wisconsin Supreme Court. Additionally, ads tied to megadonor organizations highlighted Musk’s involvement in the race, portraying him as a detrimental force alongside Donald Trump.
On the other hand, Schimel’s campaign emphasized tough-on-crime messaging and criticized some of Crawford’s judicial decisions. They condemned her perceived leniency in criminal sentencing and labeled her as “soft-on-crime.” Ads also criticized Crawford’s handling of a child sexual assault case, calling for harsher punishments and painting her decisions as dangerous for Wisconsin.
As the election draws near, both campaigns are intensifying their efforts to sway voters with contrasting messaging on key issues and the involvement of influential donors like Musk.
Both sides are seeking to tie the state race to important national issues in an effort to make the contest a reflection of the early days of the second Trump administration. An advertisement supporting Schimel that aired in the final week of the race exemplifies this strategy. The ad, by Fair Courts America, states, “President Trump is fighting back, but a liberal judge has intervened to halt deportation flights. We do not need another liberal judge, we need Brad Schimel.” This references the administration’s legal battles regarding its deportation policies.
On the other hand, the leading pro-Crawford group released a TV ad this week that focuses on Musk’s prominent role in both the new administration and the state court race. The ad accuses Musk of attempting to influence the state Supreme Court by supporting Schimel financially. It questions whether Musk is aware of Schimel’s questionable practices and suggests that Schimel may be influenced by Musk’s radical ideas.
The influx of spending and intense advertising campaigns are expected to persist in the final days leading up to the election. Nick Ramos, from the Wisconsin Democracy Campaign, stated that the total spending for this race could potentially double the previous record of 2023, reaching around $100 million. Ramos believes that given the current trends, it is not unreasonable to anticipate that this race may exceed the spending of the previous Supreme Court race.
Keith, from the Brennan Center, cautioned that the unprecedented spending and aggressive campaigning could erode public confidence in the judicial system. He expressed concern that such intense political involvement in judicial elections may blur the lines between judges and other political figures, potentially affecting how judges handle cases and how they are perceived by the public.
