President Donald Trump and billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk are making direct appeals to conservatives in Wisconsin’s pivotal Supreme Court election, urging voters to back Brad Schimel. The race, set for April 1, will determine control of a closely divided court, impacting the state’s conservative policy future.
Schimel, Wisconsin’s former attorney general, faces off against Dane County Judge Susan Crawford, who has received support from leading Democrats, notably former President Barack Obama. Obama’s endorsement highlights Democratic hopes of flipping the court to reverse conservative legislative victories, including restrictions on public-sector unions.
Trump has strongly endorsed Schimel, labeling Crawford a “Radical Left Liberal” who would weaken Wisconsin’s influence within the broader conservative movement. Trump’s support emphasizes the election’s national significance, as Wisconsin remains a critical state for Republicans.
Musk’s aggressive campaigning has drawn attention nationally. His political action committee, America PAC, pledged millions to support Schimel, recently drawing scrutiny for offering substantial monetary incentives to petition signers opposed to activist judges. Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul responded with legal action against Musk, challenging the legality of these incentives.
Schimel has publicly maintained distance from Musk’s contested strategies, stating he does not advise Musk legally, despite supporting the petition’s broader message. His cautious approach aims to avoid direct association with Musk’s controversy while retaining strong conservative backing.
Act 10, a law curtailing the power of public unions, remains central to the campaign debate. Crawford opposes Act 10, aligning with Democrats who view it as harmful. Conservatives support Act 10, seeing public unions as diverting taxpayer resources for partisan interests.
This election has broken national judicial race spending records, driven by significant funding from Musk, as well as liberal donors George Soros and JB Pritzker. High spending levels reflect the election’s importance, attracting attention from voters beyond Wisconsin.
Obama’s active support for Crawford emphasizes Democrats’ efforts to secure a liberal court majority to protect key Democratic policies in Wisconsin. Both parties recognize the broader political consequences as the April 1 election nears.
