Republicans and Democrats vying for control of the Wisconsin Supreme Court will get an early indication of voter engagement on Tuesday as in-person early voting begins for the highly contested race. Voting kicks off two weeks ahead of the April 1 election, where Republican-backed Brad Schimel faces Democratic-supported Susan Crawford in a contest for an open seat that will decide whether liberals maintain their narrow majority on the state’s highest court, an important battleground for the upcoming presidential election.
This race has garnered significant attention, drawing support from high-profile figures such as Elon Musk, an advisor to President Donald Trump, and has attracted tens of millions of dollars in spending. It is viewed as a key indicator of public sentiment regarding the early months of Trump’s presidency and its impact on voters.
The election follows a 2023 victory by the Democratic-backed candidate, which shifted the Wisconsin Supreme Court to a liberal majority for the first time in 15 years. Since then, the court has overturned Republican-drawn legislative maps, which contributed to Democratic gains in the November election, and reinstated absentee-ballot drop boxes. It has also been reviewing a case involving an 1849 law banning abortion, with a ruling still pending. Upcoming cases may address issues such as public sector unions, voting rights, and congressional district boundaries.
The race has become the most expensive court race in U.S. history, with spending surpassing $59 million, according to the Brennan Center for Justice. The amount exceeds the previous record set in Wisconsin’s 2023 Supreme Court race, and is expected to rise further in the final weeks before the election. Musk’s supported groups have contributed over $11 million to Schimel’s campaign, while major Democratic figures, including billionaire philanthropist George Soros and Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, have funded efforts to back Crawford. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and former U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder are also making appearances in Wisconsin to rally support for Crawford and encourage early voting.
Crawford and her supporters have sought to nationalize the race, framing it as a referendum on Musk and Trump. In a recent debate, Crawford referred to Musk as “Elon Schimel,” accusing the tech mogul of effectively taking over Schimel’s campaign. Musk’s involvement in the race intensified after Tesla filed a lawsuit against Wisconsin for blocking its attempt to open dealerships in the state, a case that could ultimately be decided by the state Supreme Court.
Schimel, however, has distanced himself from any allegiance to Trump or Musk, despite the heavy spending by groups supporting him. He emphasized during the debate that he would hold anyone accountable under the law, including Trump, if a case involving the former president came before him. Schimel, a long-time supporter of Trump, attended his inauguration and participated in a MAGA rally on Saturday, where he posed for a photo in front of an oversized inflatable Trump with a “Vote Brad Schimel Supreme Court” sign.
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