Wisconsin voters just sent a message that money doesn't buy everything.
In what became the most expensive judicial election in U.S. history, liberal judge Susan Crawford defeated conservative Brad Schimel to retain the Wisconsin Supreme Court’s 4-3 liberal majority. The race drew national attention not only for its implications but for the amount of money poured into it, and who was behind it.
Sanders Celebrates Grassroots Victory
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Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) praised voters on X, formerly Twitter, writing: “Congratulations Wisconsin on electing Susan Crawford. As a result of your strong grassroots organizing, you have defeated the wealthiest person on earth. You have set an example for the rest of the country. We can do it.”
That “wealthiest person” is Elon Musk, who spent around $25 million backing Crawford's opponent. In all, more than $100 million was spent in the race, which included high-dollar donations on both sides, though Musk outspent everyone.
What's at Stake
With Wisconsin being a critical swing state, the court is expected to play a key role in decisions about congressional redistricting ahead of the 2026 midterms and the 2028 presidential election. Democrats currently hold four seats on the court, and Crawford’s win keeps that majority intact.
As Musk himself put it in a Fox News interview before the election, “Losing this judge race has a good chance of causing Republicans to lose control of the House. [In that case] there will be nonstop impeachment hearings and subpoenas.
‘Our Courts Are Not for Sale’
“Wisconsin stood up and said loudly that justice does not have a price. Our courts are not for sale,” Crawford said in her victory speech.
Crawford, a Dane County judge and former lawyer for Planned Parenthood, campaigned in support of abortion rights and opposed a recent voter ID constitutional amendment. That amendment passed, making it harder to change existing ID laws in the future.
Despite being outspent, Crawford’s campaign benefited from strong Democratic turnout and support from major donors like George Soros, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker and LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman.
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Musk’s Role in the Race
Musk was more than just a donor. His political action committee offered cash incentives to voters who supported Schimel, including $100 payouts and even two $1 million checks handed out at a rally. His involvement sparked criticism and became a focal point in Democratic messaging.
During a rally, Musk said the judicial race was really about “control of the U.S. House of Representatives,” alluding to the court’s potential role in shaping congressional districts. Republicans currently hold six of Wisconsin’s eight seats in the House.
Still, Musk seemed unfazed after the loss, writing on X: “I expected to lose, but there is value to losing a piece for a positional gain.”
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