Staff Reports
Wisconsin is once again at the center of national attention as voters prepare for a pivotal Supreme Court election on April 1 that could reshape the ideological balance of the state’s highest court. This contest between conservative Brad Schimel and liberal Susan Crawford has already broken records as the most expensive judicial race in American history, with spending exceeding $73 million from candidates and outside groups. The stakes are monumental, with the outcome poised to influence key issues such as abortion rights, congressional redistricting, and labor laws in this critical swing state.
Brad Schimel, a former Wisconsin attorney general and current Waukesha County judge, has positioned himself as a staunch defender of conservative values. Endorsed by President Donald Trump and backed by billionaire Elon Musk, Schimel has focused his campaign on restoring impartiality to the court and countering what he describes as liberal overreach. Musk’s super PACs have invested heavily in voter outreach and advertising to support Schimel, amplifying his message of preserving constitutional rights and ensuring fair governance. Schimel’s campaign has emphasized the importance of reversing recent decisions by the liberal-majority court that struck down Republican-drawn legislative maps and expanded absentee voting.
Susan Crawford, a Dane County judge endorsed by Wisconsin’s liberal justices, has framed her campaign as a fight for individual rights and freedoms. She has championed abortion access, labor protections, and voting rights while accusing Schimel of being an “extreme politician” aligned with corporate interests. Crawford’s campaign has also drawn significant financial support from Democratic donors and progressive organizations, raising over $24 million in direct contributions. Her platform seeks to build on recent liberal victories in Wisconsin’s judiciary, which have given Democrats a fairer shot at winning elections in this historically purple state.
The involvement of high-profile figures like Trump and Musk has turned this judicial race into a proxy battle for broader national issues. Trump’s endorsement of Schimel underscores his continued influence within the Republican Party, while Musk’s financial backing highlights his growing role as a conservative power broker. Democrats have sought to make Musk a central figure in their campaign narrative, portraying him as an outsider attempting to “buy” Wisconsin’s judiciary. This strategy reflects the increasing polarization of state Supreme Court elections, which were once considered nonpartisan but now serve as battlegrounds for ideological control.
This election represents an opportunity to reclaim the court and protect policies that have bolstered Wisconsin’s economy and strengthened public safety. Schimel’s supporters argue that liberal control of the court threatens to undermine these gains by pushing a progressive agenda that prioritizes activism over constitutional fidelity. Meanwhile, liberals view Crawford’s candidacy as essential to preserving recent judicial reforms that promote equity and access for all Wisconsinites. Both sides recognize that the stakes extend far beyond state borders; decisions made by Wisconsin’s Supreme Court could influence national politics heading into the 2026 midterms and 2028 presidential election.
As early voting continues, Wisconsin voters face a choice that will shape the state’s political landscape for years to come. With millions of dollars pouring into this race from outside interests, the pressure is on citizens to cut through the noise and make informed decisions about their judiciary. The outcome will not only determine control of Wisconsin’s Supreme Court but also signal which vision for America resonates most strongly in one of its most pivotal battleground states.
