At a rally on Monday, Donald Trump Jr. told Republicans that a victory in Wisconsin’s highly contested Supreme Court race is crucial to protecting his father’s agenda and maintaining momentum for the GOP heading into the 2026 midterms and the next presidential election.
Appearing alongside conservative figure Charlie Kirk at an event organized by Turning Point USA, a conservative youth organization founded by Kirk, Trump Jr. urged his father’s supporters to vote in the upcoming Supreme Court election, which takes place in two weeks, even though it typically has lower voter turnout.
“You can’t just show up when he’s at the top of the ticket,” Trump Jr. said. “You have to engage because it’s not just about now, it’s about the future. This vote could put a stop to this presidency.”
He framed the race for Wisconsin’s highest court, which he referred to as “one little battle,” as critical in stopping Democrats from hindering his father’s political agenda. “It’s everything,” Trump Jr. added.
The outcome of the April 1 election will determine whether conservative or liberal justices will control the state’s Supreme Court, which is set to handle significant cases on issues such as abortion rights, public sector unions, voting laws, and congressional district boundaries.
Hundreds gathered at the event in Waukesha County, a conservative stronghold, the night before early voting begins. The gathering included Brad Schimel, the Republican-backed candidate, as well as numerous high-profile GOP figures, including former Governor Scott Walker, the state party chairman, and various state lawmakers.
Schimel, a judge from Waukesha County and former state attorney general, is facing off against Susan Crawford, a judge from Dane County who is supported by Democrats. This race is seen as a key indicator of how Wisconsin voters are reacting to the early months of Trump’s presidency. Schimel urged Trump supporters to stay engaged and vote in the Supreme Court race, saying, “Do you think the job is done? We have to stay vigilant and keep going.”
Schimel has long supported Trump, attending his inauguration and participating in a “Mega MAGA rally” where he posed for a photo in front of a giant inflatable Trump.
The Wisconsin Democratic Party quickly criticized Schimel, with spokesperson Joe Oslund accusing him of “kowtowing to Trump—any Trump he can find,” though the president has not formally endorsed a candidate in this race.
Trump supporters at the rally expressed hopes that the former president would engage in the race to help Schimel’s campaign. “I can’t overstate the importance of this election,” said Soslan Temanson, 26, from Westfield. “I think it’s critical that Trump fully supports Wisconsin.”
While Wisconsin has been a battleground in recent presidential elections, the last state Supreme Court race in 2023 saw a liberal candidate win by 11 points. In response, Republican backers, including Elon Musk, have poured significant money into this year’s race to prevent another loss. The race has become the most expensive court race in U.S. history, with over $11 million spent by groups linked to Musk.
On the other side, Democratic billionaires, including George Soros and Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, have contributed to Crawford’s campaign. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and former U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder are also actively campaigning for Crawford, with Walz hosting an anti-Musk town hall on Tuesday to encourage Democrats to vote early.
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