Musk’s Millions Supercharge Wisconsin Supreme Court Election Battle

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Tuesday’s Wisconsin supreme court election is anything but routine. In a state where judicial races are usually low-profile and lightly funded, this contest has exploded into a $100 million political showdown. The ideological direction of Wisconsin’s highest court is at stake, and many see it as a clear test of President Donald Trump’s second-term agenda.

What happens in this race could affect how Wisconsin handles abortion laws, redistricting maps, union rights, and election-related disputes. These are the legal battlegrounds that will help shape the next two years of American politics.

Elon Musk’s High-Stakes Gamble

Elon Musk has upended the race. The Tesla and X CEO has contributed more than $22 million to conservative candidate Brad Schimel. Musk says he’s trying to stop activist judges and protect constitutional values. Critics say he’s trying to buy the judiciary.

Earlier this week, Musk announced a voter petition drive and offered $1 million awards to Wisconsinites who signed up in support of his anti-activist judge campaign. The giveaway triggered legal action from Democratic Attorney General Josh Kaul, who claimed the move violated laws against gifts tied to voting.

However, two lower courts already ruled against Kaul. The Wisconsin supreme court declined to hear the case, allowing Musk to proceed with the checks. At a town hall in Green Bay, Musk handed out two more $1 million prizes to voters and declared, “We just want judges to be judges.” Musk’s lawyers said the money was part of a grassroots movement and was not tied to specific candidates. The argument that political speech trumps election law has held up in court so far.

Meet the Candidates: Crawford vs. Schimel

Liberal Judge Susan Crawford of Dane County faces off against conservative Judge Brad Schimel from Waukesha County. Crawford has the support of the court’s liberal majority and backing from major Democratic donors, including George Soros and Illinois Governor JB Pritzker. Schimel, a former Wisconsin Attorney General, has been endorsed by Trump and supported heavily by Musk’s America PAC. While Schimel has tried to keep some distance from Musk in public, he has benefited from the billionaire’s campaign infrastructure.

Polling suggests a close race. Crawford held a double-digit lead weeks ago, but Schimel has narrowed the gap. Musk’s spending allowed Schimel to hit the airwaves early and define his message, something past conservative candidates struggled to do. The outcome will decide whether liberals maintain control of the state’s high court or conservatives regain the majority. That majority could decide cases that influence Wisconsin’s political landscape for a generation.

Why Wisconsin Votes for Judges

Unlike many states where governors appoint high court judges, Wisconsin holds statewide elections. Justices serve for ten years in officially nonpartisan contests. But in practice, these races have become deeply partisan affairs, especially as court decisions shape policy on abortion, redistricting, and voting access.

In this race, even the selection process has become politicized. Musk’s team has pointed to a pending Tesla lawsuit against Wisconsin as a reason to oppose liberal judges. The lawsuit challenges dealership restrictions that prevent Tesla from selling directly to consumers. Opponents say Musk’s financial interest in the court outcome is clear.

Democrats have responded by casting the election as “The People vs Musk,” launching attack ads and mobilizing grassroots support. At campaign events, supporters of Susan Crawford have handed out stickers that read “Impeach Elon.” Despite the noise, both candidates have maintained that they will judge fairly and independently. Still, voters know this election has implications far beyond Wisconsin’s borders.

Do you support Elon Musk’s involvement in the Wisconsin supreme court election? Tell us what you think!

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