Staff Reports
In the race for the Wisconsin Supreme Court, tensions are high and stakes are higher as Dane County Circuit Judge Susan Crawford and Waukesha County Circuit Court Judge Brad Schimel head towards a nail-biting election. Recent polling data from the Trafalgar Group combined with InsiderAdvantage reveals a tight contest: Crawford leads Schimel by a slim margin of 50.8 to 49.2 percent. However, it’s the mechanics of the polling that tell a more interesting story.
Absentee votes show a clear divergence between the candidates. While Crawford may currently boast a nominal edge in total voter support, she’s pulling in 55 percent of those who have already voted or plan to vote absentee, suggesting a possible softness in her overall support that could be concerning on Election Day. Schimel, conversely, is outperforming her among those intending to show up at the polls, garnering 52.5 percent of their backing. This trend is turning the race into a classic case of “the early bird gets the worm,” and it seems that Schimel is banking on an enthusiastic Election Day turnout.
Breaking: New @trafalgar_group @imsiderpolling Wisconsin Supreme Court race poll.
Overall:
50.8% @crawfordforwi
49.2% @TeamSchimelCrawford leads in early/absentee. Schimel leads of those who say they are likely to vote on Election Day.
See memo and full report:… pic.twitter.com/6zQ5ykp37m
— Robert C. Cahaly (@RobertCahaly) March 31, 2025
This isn’t just another sleepy election; it’s being heralded as the battle for the soul of Wisconsin. Schimel, the former attorney general, is being pitched as the savior of common-sense governance against what could only be described as a radical leftist agenda championed by Crawford. The narrative around Crawford is hardly flattering. The former judge has been painted as soft on crime, giving leniency to horrific offenders such as child molesters and domestic abusers. This paints a clear picture of two very different judicial philosophies, and not surprisingly, folks are champing at the bit to see Schimel hold the gavel instead.
Former President Donald Trump has waded into this fray with a fiery endorsement for Schimel, suggesting if Crawford emerges victorious, it would be a severe blow to the movement to restore America’s traditional values. It’s always entertaining when Trump steps back into the political arena and reminds voters about the stakes involved. His advocacy for Schimel underlines a broader national concern about what happens when politically motivated judges take the bench.
Schimel himself has articulated a vision for what a return to common-sense jurisprudence would look like, identifying a pattern of political agendas overriding the rule of law since the liberals seized control of the court. It appears he’s not just running for a title but rather to reclaim a court that has drifted dangerously close to a partisan playpen. The upcoming election on Tuesday isn’t just about judicial philosophy; it embodies the ongoing battle between traditional values and radical ideologies, with Wisconsin firmly in the crosshairs.
