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USA Today
01-04-2025
- Politics
- USA Today
Wisconsin Supreme Court election comes with high stakes and huge spending: What to know
Wisconsin is no stranger to the national spotlight. A longstanding member on the list of swing states going back two decades, the Badger State is regularly scrutinized by campaigns and politicos in the lead up to presidential elections – including the 2024 contest won by President Donald Trump. This week, a Wisconsin race to control the balance of power on the state Supreme Court is shaping up to be a key temperature check on voters' moods about both national parties - as well as a referendum on President Donald Trump, Elon Musk and GOP dominance back in Washington. What to know: Wisconsin, Florida voters are up next in 2025 'It's really the first major election since Trump and Republicans took office in January,' said Barry Burden, a political science professor and director of the University of Wisconsin-Madison Elections Research Center. Wisconsin voters head to the polls Tuesday to decide whether conservative Brad Schimel or liberal Susan Crawford will fill the state Supreme Court's open seat. The outcome determines if the state's highest court will lean 4-3 ideologically left or right. And with issues from abortion to redistricting potentially on the line, the statewide face-off is garnering national attention from both sides of the aisle. On the right, Trump and his billionaire adviser Elon Musk have gone all in, throwing their political and monetary weight behind Schimel's campaign. Overall spending in this race has already surpassed the previous record for the country's most expensive court race, which was set two years ago also in Wisconsin. This year's number could exceed $100 million. Here's what to know about Tuesday's election in Wisconsin and the possible reverberations. Who is running in Wisconsin's supreme court election? Schimel, a Waukesha County judge, entered the Supreme Court race after losing his 2018 bid for reelection as the state's attorney general. He faces Susan Crawford, a circuit court judge in Dane County, which includes the city of Madison. Both have received backing from big names on the left and right. Former vice presidential candidate and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz has campaigned for Crawford, while Trump has called on voters to turn out for Schimel. Big dollar donors shell out, including Musk Ahead of the president, Trump's billionaire ally jumped with two feet and eight figures into the Wisconsin race. By far the largest contributor, Musk has spent around $20 million to help Schimel. Most recently, the world's richest man handed out a series of $1 million checks to voters who signed his 'Petition In Opposition To Activist Judges.' Musk's political action committee, America PAC, had announced the petition on X earlier in March and promised $100 in cash to each person who signs, but made no mention of any grand prizes. America PAC and a Musk-funded political nonprofit, Building America's Future, have together spent more than $15 million in Wisconsin. Though nowhere near Musk's spending levels, Democratic donors, including billionaire investor George Soros, have also made hefty contributions in hopes of seeing Crawford victorious. No obvious leader in Wisconsin court election polls There is no clear-cut leader between Crawford and Schimel heading into Tuesday. A poll published last week by the nonpartisan group SoCal Strategies found Crawford with a 50-42 lead over Schimel. In a Marquette Law School Poll survey from March, 29% of voters interviewed said they view Schimel favorably, compared to 32% who saw him unfavorably. Asked about Crawford, 19% said they think of her favorably, while 23% said unfavorably. Momentum for Democrats? There is broad consensus that this race is a big one for both sides. Echoing Burden, Vice President of political for the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee Jeremy Jansen said, 'This is the first I'd say major election since the 2024 general.' Democrats are on the hunt for a comeback after a disappointing last November. Their wins in a handful of special elections so far this year have given them a much-needed charge, but Wisconsin is expected to be the best benchmark to date. Democrat Kelly Hafermann, who lives in Madison, Wisconsin, said there is a high level of anxiety for voters paying close attention, adding that progressive voters such as herself are hyper aware of the national stakes orbiting the state Supreme Court race. "This is do or die,' the 47-year-old higher education administrator told USA TODAY. "If we win this, this gives us the momentum to move forward. If we lose this, they're going to be a lot of really dejected people. I have not seen a joyful voter yet." Knowing the importance of this particular race, Jansen said state and local elections often give the best insight into current conditions. 'Our districts are small. The folks who represent these districts, our members there, are embedded in their community in the way that maybe a U.S. Senator or U.S. Senate race is not,' he said. 'And so,' Jansen added, 'I think they're a really great barometer of where voters are at, and I think can be a really key resource for the party.' Report card for the Trump administration The stakes are there for Republicans, too. The GOP enjoys a slim margin of control in Congress, with a three-seat majority in the Senate and five seats up in the House. Trump is back in the White House, having won the popular vote in November by 1.5 percentage points. 'But the party is behaving as if it has a mandate for really dramatic action,' Burden told USA TODAY. 'A loss by conservatives in the Wisconsin Supreme Court race would be a big symbolic setback,' he continued. 'It would suggest the public is tired of that and wants the administration to stop and go in a different direction.' Abortion among the issues on the line Since Wisconsin has a Democratic governor and a Republican-controlled legislature, Burden said, 'they're not doing much productive lawmaking.' This often leaves the state's Supreme Court to be the deciding voice on policy. One hot-button issue up before the bench is a decision on a nineteenth-century abortion ban that criminalizes 'the willful killing of an unborn quick child' and includes no exceptions for rape or incest. Crawford, Democrats' preferred candidate, has made having a pro-abortion access stance a cornerstone of her campaign. Schimel said previously he believes there is no "constitutional right to abortion." Abortion loomed over Wisconsin's Supreme Court race in 2023, in the immediate wake of the U.S. Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade and longstanding national abortion precedent. The outcome of that state race two years ago flipped the Wisconsin court from a conservative to liberal majority. Besides abortion, other issues on voters' minds and in candidates' campaign materials include redistricting. Democrats and Republicans are each trying to raise alarms that if their opponents win, they will have control over whether the state and federal district maps are redrawn. "Democrats are making their intentions crystal clear: the Wisconsin Supreme Court race is their pathway to reclaiming the House majority in 2026," Mason Di Palma, communications director for the Republican State Leadership Committee, said in a statement. "They plan to wield the court's influence to manipulate the redistricting process in their favor and we are determined not to let that happen." The liberal majority court in 2023 approved changes to the state legislative map, making Wisconsin races more competitive for Democrats. But they declined a request at the time to reconsider the state's congressional map
Yahoo
31-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Wisconsin Supreme Court election comes with high stakes and huge spending: What to know
Wisconsin is no stranger to the national spotlight. A longstanding member on the list of swing states going back two decades, the Badger State is regularly scrutinized by campaigns and politicos in the lead up to presidential elections – including the 2024 contest won by President Donald Trump. This week, a Wisconsin race to control the balance of power on the state Supreme Court is shaping up to be a key temperature check on voters' moods about both national parties - as well as a referendum on President Donald Trump, Elon Musk and GOP dominance back in Washington. What to know: Wisconsin, Florida voters are up next in 2025 'It's really the first major election since Trump and Republicans took office in January,' said Barry Burden, a political science professor and director of the University of Wisconsin-Madison Elections Research Center. Wisconsin voters head to the polls Tuesday to decide whether conservative Brad Schimel or liberal Susan Crawford will fill the state Supreme Court's open seat. The outcome determines if the state's highest court will lean 4-3 ideologically left or right. And with issues from abortion to redistricting potentially on the line, the statewide face-off is garnering national attention from both sides of the aisle. On the right, Trump and his billionaire adviser Elon Musk have gone all in, throwing their political and monetary weight behind Schimel's campaign. Overall spending in this race has already surpassed the previous record for the country's most expensive court race, which was set two years ago also in Wisconsin. This year's number could exceed $100 million. Here's what to know about Tuesday's election in Wisconsin and the possible reverberations. Schimel, a Waukesha County judge, entered the Supreme Court race after losing his 2018 bid for reelection as the state's attorney general. He faces Susan Crawford, a circuit court judge in Dane County, which includes the city of Madison. Both have received backing from big names on the left and right. Former vice presidential candidate and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz has campaigned for Crawford, while Trump has called on voters to turn out for Schimel. Ahead of the president, Trump's billionaire ally jumped with two feet and eight figures into the Wisconsin race. By far the largest contributor, Musk has spent around $20 million to help Schimel. Most recently, the world's richest man handed out a series of $1 million checks to voters who signed his 'Petition In Opposition To Activist Judges.' Musk's political action committee, America PAC, had announced the petition on X earlier in March and promised $100 in cash to each person who signs, but made no mention of any grand prizes. More: Wisconsin attorney general sues Elon Musk over payments to voters America PAC and a Musk-funded political nonprofit, Building America's Future, have together spent more than $15 million in Wisconsin. Though nowhere near Musk's spending levels, Democratic donors, including billionaire investor George Soros, have also made hefty contributions in hopes of seeing Crawford victorious. There is no clear-cut leader between Crawford and Schimel heading into Tuesday. A poll published last week by the nonpartisan group SoCal Strategies found Crawford with a 50-42 lead over Schimel. More: Wisconsin Supreme Court Election polls: What voters are saying about the judges In a Marquette Law School Poll survey from March, 29% of voters interviewed said they view Schimel favorably, compared to 32% who saw him unfavorably. Asked about Crawford, 19% said they think of her favorably, while 23% said unfavorably. There is broad consensus that this race is a big one for both sides. Echoing Burden, Vice President of political for the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee Jeremy Jansen said, 'This is the first I'd say major election since the 2024 general.' More: Democrats face new dividing line: Cooperate or resist Trump 2.0? Democrats are on the hunt for a comeback after a disappointing last November. Their wins in a handful of special elections so far this year have given them a much-needed charge, but Wisconsin is expected to be the best benchmark to date. Democrat Kelly Hafermann, who lives in Madison, Wisconsin, said there is a high level of anxiety for voters paying close attention, adding that progressive voters such as herself are hyper aware of the national stakes orbiting the state Supreme Court race. "This is do or die,' the 47-year-old higher education administrator told USA TODAY. "If we win this, this gives us the momentum to move forward. If we lose this, they're going to be a lot of really dejected people. I have not seen a joyful voter yet." Knowing the importance of this particular race, Jansen said state and local elections often give the best insight into current conditions. 'Our districts are small. The folks who represent these districts, our members there, are embedded in their community in the way that maybe a U.S. Senator or U.S. Senate race is not,' he said. More: 'We're energized': Recovering Democrats find hope in special election wins in Pennsylvania 'And so,' Jansen added, 'I think they're a really great barometer of where voters are at, and I think can be a really key resource for the party.' The stakes are there for Republicans, too. The GOP enjoys a slim margin of control in Congress, with a three-seat majority in the Senate and five seats up in the House. Trump is back in the White House, having won the popular vote in November by 1.5 percentage points. More: Trump says popularity in polls gives him third-term platform. See his approval ratings. 'But the party is behaving as if it has a mandate for really dramatic action,' Burden told USA TODAY. 'A loss by conservatives in the Wisconsin Supreme Court race would be a big symbolic setback,' he continued. 'It would suggest the public is tired of that and wants the administration to stop and go in a different direction.' Since Wisconsin has a Democratic governor and a Republican-controlled legislature, Burden said, 'they're not doing much productive lawmaking.' This often leaves the state's Supreme Court to be the deciding voice on policy. One hot-button issue up before the bench is a decision on a nineteenth-century abortion ban that criminalizes 'the willful killing of an unborn quick child' and includes no exceptions for rape or incest. More: 'We can work with him': Abortion opponents tentatively embrace Trump, and pro-choice RFK Jr. Crawford, Democrats' preferred candidate, has made having a pro-abortion access stance a cornerstone of her campaign. Schimel said previously he believes there is no "constitutional right to abortion." Abortion loomed over Wisconsin's Supreme Court race in 2023, in the immediate wake of the U.S. Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade and longstanding national abortion precedent. The outcome of that state race two years ago flipped the Wisconsin court from a conservative to liberal majority. Besides abortion, other issues on voters' minds and in candidates' campaign materials include redistricting. Democrats and Republicans are each trying to raise alarms that if their opponents win, they will have control over whether the state and federal district maps are redrawn. "Democrats are making their intentions crystal clear: the Wisconsin Supreme Court race is their pathway to reclaiming the House majority in 2026," Mason Di Palma, communications director for the Republican State Leadership Committee, said in a statement. "They plan to wield the court's influence to manipulate the redistricting process in their favor and we are determined not to let that happen." The liberal majority court in 2023 approved changes to the state legislative map, making Wisconsin races more competitive for Democrats. But they declined a request at the time to reconsider the state's congressional map This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Why Wisconsin Supreme Court election has high stakes for both parties
USA Today
29-03-2025
- Business
- USA Today
Wisconsin attorney general sues Elon Musk over payments to voters
Wisconsin attorney general sues Elon Musk over payments to voters Show Caption Hide Caption Wisconsin Supreme Court race attracts wealthy partisan donors Wisconsin's Supreme Court race has become the country's most expensive judicial election ever. Billionaire Elon Musk is the biggest spender. Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul is asking for a restraining order barring Elon Musk from promoting "million-dollar gifts" to attendees of a Sunday event in support of Brad Schimel. In a since-deleted post on X, Musk said he would hold an event Sunday in Wisconsin and hand out $1 million checks to voters "in appreciation for you taking the time to vote." In a subsequent post Musk said he would instead be handing over the checks to two people who would serve as spokespeople for his "Petition In Opposition To Activist Judges." MADISON, Wisc. - Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul is suing Elon Musk over the Trump ally's plans to award $1 million checks to two Wisconsin voters ahead of Tuesday's pivotal state Supreme Court election. In a since-deleted post on X, Musk said he would hold an event Sunday in Wisconsin and hand out $1 million checks to voters "in appreciation for you taking the time to vote." But after election experts and Democrats raised questions about whether the offer violated the state's election bribery laws, Musk deleted the post and said he would instead be handing over the checks to two people who would serve as spokespeople for his "Petition In Opposition To Activist Judges." The new post also no longer said attendance would be limited "to those who have voted in the Supreme Court election," as the original post had stated. "To clarify a previous post, entrance is limited to those who have signed the petition in opposition to activist judges," Musk wrote. "I will also hand over checks for a million dollars to 2 people to be spokesmen for the petition." More: All our reporting on the Wisconsin Supreme Court race between Susan Crawford, Brad Schimel Musk, a close ally of President Donald Trump, has poured about $20 million into the race to back conservative candidate Brad Schimel through spending from his own coffers and via two outside groups. Kaul's lawsuit in Dane County Circuit Court seeks a restraining order barring Musk "from any further promotion of the million-dollar gifts" to attendees of the planned Sunday event and "from making any payments to Wisconsin electors to vote." "The Wisconsin Department of Justice is committed to ensuring that elections in Wisconsin are safe, secure, free, and fair. We are aware of the offer recently posted by Elon Musk to award a million dollars to two people at an event in Wisconsin this weekend," Kaul said in a statement. "Based on our understanding of applicable Wisconsin law, we intend to take legal action today to seek a court order to stop this from happening.' In an odd twist, Crawford was initially assigned to oversee the case involving her race but a spokesman said it was a random assignment and that she will recuse. Kaul said in a statement the case had been reassigned to Dane County Circuit Judge David Conway. More: 100,000-plus donors from all 50 states flood Wisconsin Supreme Court race with cash A spokesman for America PAC declined to comment on Kaul's plans. The move comes after Kaul and Milwaukee County District Attorney Kent Lovern received a letter from the liberal Madison-based Law Forward legal firm, Wisconsin Democracy Campaign and State Democracy Defenders Fund seeking "an immediate investigation."The groups asked Kaul and Lovern to review Musk's America PAC's offer to pay $100 to Wisconsin voters for signing a petition opposing 'activist judges' who have ruled against President Donald Trump and Musk's Thursday announcement of plans to give two voters each $1 million checks. The groups ask Kaul and Lovern to review whether the money awarded to petition signers violates the state's law barring election bribery and whether the $1 million checks comply with the state's lottery law. "We further urge your office to take all necessary action toprevent any illegal activity from improperly influencing Wisconsin voters," the groups wrote in the letter. More: Trump, Musk go all in on Wisconsin Supreme Court race, with record-breaking price tag A spokesman for Schimel's liberal opponent Susan Crawford said Friday Musk was trying to buy off Schimel and labeled his visit a "last-minute desperate distraction." "Wisconsinites don't want a billionaire like Musk telling them who to vote for, and on Tuesday, voters should reject Musk's lackey Brad Schimel," spokesman Derrick Honeyman said. A spokesman for Schimel did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Molly Beck can be reached at
Yahoo
28-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Elon Musk to hold Sunday rally in Green Bay ahead of Supreme Court election Tuesday
Billionaire Elon Musk will hold a rally in Green Bay Sunday evening, less than 48 hours before polls open for the state Supreme Court election in which he has spent millions to get conservative candidate Brad Schimel elected. The Friday evening announcement of the event's location followed a daylong back-and-forth over Musk's released, then deleted and reframed plans to give two Wisconsinites $1 million each at the event. In a since-deleted post on his social media platform X, Musk said he would hold an event Sunday in Wisconsin and hand out $1 million checks to voters "in appreciation for you taking the time to vote." But after election experts and Democrats raised questions about whether the offer violated the state's election bribery laws, Musk deleted the post and in a new post said he would instead be handing over the checks to two people who would serve as spokespeople for his "Petition In Opposition To Activist Judges." The new post also no longer said attendance would be limited "to those who have voted in the Supreme Court election," as the original post had stated. Musk's announcement prompted a lawsuit Friday by Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul to try to prevent the giveaway from taking place. Despite the lawsuit, Musk is moving forward with the Sunday event. The Friday evening location announcement by Musk's super PAC, America PAC, states that only those who have signed Musk's "Petition In Opposition To Activist Judges" would be able to attend the event. It will take place at 6:30 p.m. A specific venue was not provided in the post. Musk, a close ally of President Donald Trump, and Musk's groups have spent about $20 million backing Schimel in the race against liberal Susan Crawford. Asked about the event, Schimel said he heard about it in the news earlier in the day and had not received an invitation. As for whether he would attend if invited, he said he didn't know. "I have no idea what he's doing. I have no idea what this rally is," Schimel said, according to video posted on X by WISN-TV's Matt Smith. Schimel last weekend joined Musk in a live, half-hour discussion on X in which Sen. Ron Johnson said if Schimel wins it will be because of Musk's support. Trump, too, is backing Schimel — support that Schimel's campaign has heavily featured in ads across most of the state in the final days of the race. As for the legality of Musk's giveaway, Schimel said he is not Musk's lawyer and as a judge does not give free legal advice. Schimel is a judge in Waukesha County. Crawford is a judge in Dane County. In a statement, Crawford's spokesman said Musk was trying to buy off Schimel and labeled his visit a "last-minute desperate distraction." "Wisconsinites don't want a billionaire like Musk telling them who to vote for, and on Tuesday, voters should reject Musk's lackey Brad Schimel," spokesman Derrick Honeyman said. Alison Dirr can be reached at adirr@ Molly Beck can be reached at This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Elon Musk to hold rally in Green Bay ahead of Supreme Court election
Yahoo
28-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Meddling Musk Holds Another $1 Million Giveaway for Voters
The world's richest man gave away $1 million to a voter who signed his petition—for the second time. Elon Musk's Super PAC America has in recent months thrown its weight behind Brad Schimel, the Republican-backed nominee for Wisconsin's Supreme Court. Next week's state-level election is critical, and could flip the court's liberal majority to conservative. Schimel, who is also backed by President Donald Trump, has received millions from Musk's Super PAC's for the nonpartisan race on April 1. America Super PAC wrote on X Wednesday that a man named 'Scott A. From Green Bay, WI is the first $1 Million spokesperson for signing our Petition In Opposition To Activist Judges.' The account then teased at more 'surprise announcements for Wisconsin,' whilst Musk claimed that the next 'million dollar award will be announced in 2 days.' The Super PAC is currently giving away $100 to Wisconsin voters who sign its petition against 'activist judges,' and those that refer new signatories as well. Musk is no stranger to the tactic. He received flack last year from multiple government officials after hosting a $1 million-a-day giveaway through his PAC to registered voters in swing states, including Wisconsin, during the presidential election. The America PAC was Donald Trump's biggest financial backer during his campaign, cashing in to the tune of more than $250 million. At the time, voters were asked to sign a petition 'to support the Constitution,' with his lawyer later admitting that winners were not picked by chance. 'There is no prize to be won, instead recipients must fulfill contractual obligations to serve as a spokesperson for the PAC,' his lawyer Chris Gober said during a Pennsylvania court hearing in November. Susan Crawford, the candidate supported by Democrats, called the move corrupt. 'It's extreme, and it's disgraceful to our state and judiciary,' Crawford's spokesperson said after news broke. Legal action has yet to be filed against Musk in Wisconsin. It is a felony in the state to offer, give, promise to lend or lend to attract voters. The petition reads that the signer must be registered Wisconsin voters, although proof is not required. 'By signing below, I'm rejecting the actions of activist judges who impose their own views and demanding a judiciary that respects its role—interpreting, not legislating," the petition reads.
