Not even Elon Musk’s $25 million could buy a win in Wisconsin’s Supreme Court race
Supreme Court election failed to secure a win for his chosen candidate, Brad Schimel. The contest, which determined the balance of the state's judiciary, ended in victory for Susan Crawford, a liberal-backed candidate who now holds a pivotal seat on the court. The election was not only crucial for Wisconsin but also attracted national attention, symbolising the shifting tides of political influence at the state level.
A Million-Dollar Fight for Control
Elon Musk poured over $25 million into the race, making it the most expensive state supreme court election in U.S. history. Much of this funding came through America PAC, a political action committee Musk established in 2024 to support former President Donald Trump. Musk’s contributions included $22 million directly backing Schimel, alongside millions more for petition-driven giveaways designed to stir voter action. These efforts promised cash incentives—$100 for petition signers and $1 million for select lucky participants.
Despite Musk's enormous spending, Schimel, a former state attorney general with Trump’s backing, was unable to secure a win. His loss tipped the Wisconsin Supreme Court in favour of a 4-3 liberal majority, setting the stage for critical rulings on issues like abortion, labour rights, and potentially, electoral district boundaries.
The National Stakes of the Election
Though judicial races are typically considered low-stakes, this one became a symbol of larger national struggles. The Wisconsin contest was framed as a referendum on Musk and Trump’s influence over American politics. «This election is going to determine all of our fundamental rights and freedoms,» Susan Crawford told her supporters, highlighting the high stakes.
The involvement of Musk,