Democrat Judge Susan Crawford Wins Wisconsin Supreme Court Seat in Historic Election

In a pivotal election held on April 1, 2025, Judge Susan Crawford, backed by the Democratic Party, emerged victorious over conservative candidate Brad Schimel in the Wisconsin Supreme Court race. Her win secures the court’s 4-3 liberal majority, ensuring continued influence over critical rulings on issues such as abortion rights and collective bargaining.

Record-Breaking Campaign Spending

This election became the most expensive judicial race in U.S. history, with total spending nearing $100 million. A significant portion of these funds came from billionaire Elon Musk, a key advisor to President Donald Trump, who funneled over $25 million into Schimel’s campaign through political action committees. Democrats capitalized on Musk’s involvement, rallying grassroots support and framing the race as a battle against the growing influence of wealthy donors in politics.

High Voter Turnout and Electoral Impact

Wisconsin saw unprecedented voter participation for a spring election, demonstrating the heightened public interest and stakes involved. Crawford secured a commanding lead, ahead by nearly 10 percentage points with 84% of votes counted. Her decisive victory reflects voter sentiment regarding external financial influence in the race.

Implications and Future Legal Battles

With Crawford on the bench, the Wisconsin Supreme Court is expected to take up crucial cases that could redefine the state’s legal framework, particularly on reproductive rights and labor laws. Additionally, her victory may signal shifting public opinion on the role of billionaire-backed political contributions in judicial elections.