Democratic-backed Susan Crawford Wins Wisconsin Supreme Court Election, Defeating Schimel Despite Support from Musk and President Trump

Democratic-backed Susan Crawford Wins Wisconsin Supreme Court Election, Defeating Schimel Despite Support from Musk and President Trump

Madison, Wisconsin, April 2, 2025 — The Wisconsin Supreme Court election has ended with a victory for Democratic-backed judge Susan Crawford, marking the most expensive judicial election in U.S. history. Crawford, a Dane County judge, defeated Republican opponent Brad Schimel, maintaining a 4-3 liberal majority.

Elon Musk, President Donald Trump's billionaire adviser, spent a large amount of money in support of Schimel. Crawford's supporters ran aggressive ads against Musk. A total of $100 million (77 million pounds) was spent in the election, including $20 million from Musk.

Crawford's victory could have significant implications for national politics, potentially affecting the balance of power in the U.S. Congress. According to the official results, Crawford received 55% of the vote, while Schimel received 45%.

Crawford, a former attorney for Planned Parenthood who supported abortion rights, saw her victory as a major setback for Trump in Wisconsin, a state he narrowly won by less than one percent in 2024.

Musk, the CEO of SpaceX and Tesla, participated in the election campaign and distributed millions of dollars, especially supporting conservative causes. Musk's campaign included distributing $1 million checks to voters who signed a petition against "activist judges."

Musk's political agenda, including his efforts in the Department of Government Efficiency to lay off thousands of government workers and cut federal pay, was a major issue in this election. Crawford criticized Musk's role to her supporters.

The Wisconsin Supreme Court is expected to play a key role in future cases involving abortion, congressional redistricting, and other important matters. Specifically, Democrats plan to challenge the current congressional district maps, which could play a significant role in the election.

The outcome of this election in Wisconsin was a major blow for Trump, although he found some relief with Republican victories in two congressional seats in Florida.