Democrats Hold On to Wisconsin Supreme Court Majority Despite Elon Musk Throwing Millions

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Wisconsin voters have delivered a critical win to Democrats, selecting Susan Crawford over Elon Musk-backed Brad Schimel for a seat on the Wisconsin Supreme Court. With more than 84 percent of ballots counted, the Associated Press called the race for Crawford due to her growing lead and Schimel’s public concession.

The result maintains the liberal 4-3 majority in a court that will decide the fate of abortion access, union rights, and congressional maps. Crawford celebrated the result as a defense of democratic institutions. “Wisconsin stood up and said loudly that justice does not have a price,” she told supporters in Madison.

Schimel conceded quickly after results showed he was trailing by nearly 10 percentage points. Despite his loss, he remained composed and called for acceptance of the results. “You gotta accept the results,” he told disappointed supporters.

Elon Musk’s Controversial Involvement Draws Scrutiny

The race broke national spending records for a judicial contest, with over 90 million dollars poured in by both sides. Musk and his affiliated groups contributed over 20 million in support of Schimel, far outpacing individual Democratic donors. His efforts included petition drives, advertising, and headline-grabbing giveaways.

Musk distributed two checks worth one million dollars each at a rally in Green Bay. The recipients had signed his petition opposing so-called activist judges. One woman featured in a now-deleted video admitted she also voted, which critics pounced on to accuse Musk of possible bribery. The video was later re-edited to remove any reference to voting.

Local election officials noted an unusual surge in turnout, particularly in cities like Milwaukee and Madison. Several polling sites in Milwaukee temporarily ran out of ballots thanks to high voter turnout. Many cited Musk’s influence as a motivating factor. “I think it’s shameful that Elon Musk can come here and spend millions of dollars and try to bribe the citizens,” said Jeannine Ramsey, a Crawford supporter. “He doesn’t live in our state, and I don’t think he should be able to buy this election.”

What Musk Stood to Gain from a Conservative Court

Musk’s interest in the Wisconsin Supreme Court was not just ideological. Several pending cases in the state involve challenges to public union contracts, layoffs tied to government restructuring, and issues related to state-level regulatory authority. All of these touch on the work of Musk’s so-called Department of Government Efficiency, an entity closely aligned with the Trump administration.

Musk also pushed for a conservative court to help redraw congressional districts that currently favor Democrats in statewide races but give Republicans six out of eight House seats. Musk publicly called the race “critical to the future of Western civilization” and warned that a liberal majority could reverse conservative momentum across the country.

The billionaire’s financial efforts may have instead driven voter backlash. State Democratic leaders said grassroots engagement surged once Musk’s role became public. Donations, volunteer signups, and turnout efforts all increased dramatically. Messaging that focused on Musk’s role in the race tested especially well with previously disengaged voters.

Ultimately, Musk’s Meddling May Have Undermined His Goals

While Musk tried to frame his involvement as support for transparency and judicial reform, the optics told a different story. His giveaways, petition drives, and high-profile rallies attracted national media attention. Legal experts warned that offering money near elections, even for non-voting actions, raises serious ethical concerns. Jeff Mandell of Law Forward, a progressive legal group, said the tactics showed clear intent. “This should not be allowed in a democracy,” he said. “Voters responded to that.”

Thanks to the higher voter turnout, Crawford will now serve a ten-year term on the court. Her presence secures the liberal bloc at a time when Wisconsin remains a major battleground for national politics. She did not mention Musk by name during her victory speech, but her words left little doubt about who she was referring to. “As a little girl in Chippewa Falls, I never thought I’d be taking on the richest man in the world for justice,” Crawford said. “And we won.”

Did Elon Musk’s involvement help Susan Crawford win the Wisconsin Supreme Court race? Tell us what you think!

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