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his Tuesday will see a pivotal test for the Republican Party following last year’s electoral gains, as a special election for the Wisconsin Supreme Court unfolds.
This election has escalated into the most expensive judicial race in U.S. history, with spending nearing $100 million. The candidates, Trump-endorsed Brad Schimel and liberal-backed Dane County Judge Susan Crawford, are competing fiercely. The election’s result will influence the court’s current liberal supermajority.
The outcome of the Wisconsin election carries considerable weight, potentially swaying national matters like abortion rights and the redistricting of congressional boundaries. This redistricting could significantly impact the U.S. House of Representatives, where Republicans currently maintain a slim majority of 218 to 213, with four vacant seats. Furthermore, a special election in Florida regarding National Security Adviser Michael Waltz and ex-Rep. Matt Gaetz’s positions has already put Republican strength at risk.
Elon Musk, the head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and CEO of X, has poured about $20 million into supporting Schimel. He even handed out $1 million checks to two Wisconsin voters on Sunday.
“If the Wisconsin Supreme Court gets the opportunity to redraw the districts, they will manipulate the lines to eliminate two Republican seats,” Musk remarked on Sunday. “They will also try to obstruct all the government reforms we are striving to implement for you, the American people.”
Election Day in Wisconsin is April 1st. Here’s what you need to know.
Who are the candidates?
The results of this election will significantly influence the ideological balance of Wisconsin’s court, a crucial swing state that favored Trump in 2024 yet chose Joe Biden in 2020.
Schimel, who previously held the position of Wisconsin’s Attorney General and presents himself as a “top cop” on his campaign platform, has Musk’s backing. He promises to take a hardline approach to crime and expresses his opposition to “rogue judges across the country who prioritize their extreme agendas over the law.”
He is also receiving support from Trump.
Crawford, Schimel’s opponent, serves as a Circuit Court Judge and is committed to protecting the constitutional rights and freedoms of Wisconsinites. With experience as a prosecutor and a private attorney who previously represented Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin, Crawford emphasizes her dedication to defending vital rights that she believes are under threat from a right-wing agenda.
She has earned endorsements from four current justices on the Wisconsin Supreme Court, U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin, as well as organizations like the Wisconsin Education Association Council and Emily’s List.
Why is Elon Musk so invested in this race?
Musk has characterized the election as critical for the “future of civilization” during an America PAC event on Sunday, and has played a substantial role in financing the campaign. Although individual contributions to campaigns are capped at $20,000, Musk has already donated at least $3 million to Wisconsin’s Republican Party, with other organizations he funds contributing over $20 million to the race.
Crawford has openly criticized Musk’s financial involvement, remarking, “Elon Musk is trying to buy himself a seat on the Wisconsin Supreme Court. He wants to place someone there whom he believes he can control and access.”
Additionally, Tesla is currently embroiled in a lawsuit over dealer licenses, following the denial of its application in 2024 due to state regulations that restrict manufacturers from owning dealerships, as reported by Wisconsin Public Radio. This case could potentially reach the state’s Supreme Court.
Is Musk truly giving out $1 million checks to voters?
Yes, Musk distributed a million-dollar check to two registered voters in Wisconsin on Sunday.
He previously employed a similar approach during the general election, promising a million-dollar reward to voters who registered in swing states. Legal experts raised concerns about this tactic, as federal law prohibits offering financial incentives for voter registration.
Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul filed a lawsuit on Friday to halt Musk from distributing these large payments to voters, yet an appellate court denied his request.
Is George Soros involved in this election?
Prominent liberal philanthropist George Soros has donated $2 million to the Democratic Party in Wisconsin. Musk attributed his disruptive moments during a Wisconsin speech to Soros, claiming, “It was bound to happen that a few Soros operatives would be in the audience.”
