<\/p>\n
“Thanks to your vigorous grassroots efforts, you have overcome the richest person in the world,” Senator Bernie Sanders told voters in Wisconsin after the Supreme Court race was decided. “You have set a standard for the entire nation to follow.”<\/p>\n
The showdown for a seat on the Wisconsin Supreme Court concluded on Tuesday night when Susan Crawford, the Democratic frontrunner, soundly defeated Brad Schimel, a far-right candidate heavily supported by external funds and corporate backers, including an estimated $20 million from Elon Musk, a staunch supporter of President Donald Trump and the wealthiest person globally.<\/p>\n
At the time of reporting, Crawford, a judge from Dane County, secured a surprisingly easy victory, garnering 55.5% of the vote against Schimel’s 44.5%. Schimel, a former Republican attorney general of the state, conceded the race shortly after the polls closed, with the results clearly in Crawford’s favor.<\/p>\n
“Thank you,” Crawford expressed in her victory speech in Madison around 9:30 pm local time. “Alright, Wisconsin\u2014we did it!”<\/p>\n
During her speech, Crawford mentioned receiving a gracious concession call from Schimel and extended her gratitude to the people of Wisconsin for securing a victory in what is noted as the most costly judicial race in U.S. history.<\/p>\n
“Tonight, the grassroots have successfully challenged Musk and the MAGA authoritarianism he supports.”<\/p>\n
“Thank you for entrusting me with the honor of serving on the Wisconsin Supreme Court,” she addressed her audience, which included supporters and national media. “I am profoundly grateful for the trust and support from voters across our great state.” Crawford added that her lifelong commitment to justice and protecting the fundamental freedoms of all Wisconsinites inspired her candidacy.<\/p>\n
Crawford credited her success to the values she learned in her hometown of Chippewa Falls, a place where community support and moral clarity were paramount. She shared that she never envisioned herself challenging the world’s wealthiest man in a politically charged battle that has drawn national attention and is largely seen as a referendum on the early months of the Trump administration’s policies.<\/p>\n
“This fight was for justice in Wisconsin\u2014and we emerged victorious!” she declared.<\/p>\n
In the weeks leading up to the election, Musk had been a significant player, investing millions from his own fortune to support Schimel. Critics pointed out that Musk attempted to sway voters over the weekend by distributing $1 million checks, essentially buying support and votes.<\/p>\n
Progressive leaders celebrated Crawford’s win on Tuesday night. “Elon Musk poured MILLIONS into defeating Susan Crawford in Wisconsin\u2014and it was a colossal failure,” stated Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.) as she celebrated the victory. “Voters saw through his tactics, and our nation is all the better for it. Thank you, people of Wisconsin.”<\/p>\n
Joseph Geevarghese, the executive director of the progressive advocacy group Our Revolution, also hailed Crawford’s victory as a significant rebuff to Musk and President Trump. “Despite investing over $20 million in this race, including distributing million-dollar checks to voters, the world’s richest man couldn’t secure a conservative majority on the Wisconsin Supreme Court,” Geevarghese explained. “Crawford’s win is a decisive victory for preserving abortion rights and workers’ rights in Wisconsin. It also acts as an essential safeguard against Donald Trump’s ongoing efforts to undermine American democracy and weaken judicial independence.”<\/p>\n
Geevarghese emphasized that while the defeat of Schimel by voters is seen as a crucial referendum on Trump and Musk’s controversial and unlawful agenda, the excessive campaign spending serves as a severe warning about the profound corruption within our flawed campaign finance system. With expenditures surpassing $100 million, this election has become the most expensive state Supreme Court race in U.S. history, with billionaire contributions flooding both sides.”<\/p>\n
“Tonight, the grassroots have risen up to challenge Musk and the MAGA authoritarianism he funds,” Geevarghese continued. “But the battle to eliminate dark money from our political system is far from over. Continued inaction poses a serious and immediate threat to our democracy and way of life.”<\/p>\n
American Bridge, a research and response organization closely linked to the Democratic Party, reveled in Schimel’s defeat, branding him as “the biggest loser in Wisconsin history.”<\/p>\n
“The people of Wisconsin have spoken, and their collective votes have determined that Wisconsin needs leaders who will defend our freedoms while rejecting the politics of fear and division,” stated the group’s spokesperson, Monica Venzke.<\/p>\n
Schimel “clearly can’t take a hint, but hopefully, this time it sticks\u2014Wisconsin wants nothing to do with him. Not even his out-of-state billionaire supporter could secure this victory for him. Imagine spending over $18 million and still losing,” Venzke added.<\/p>\n
According to Venzke, Schimel’s defeat despite massive corporate spending is a preview of how voters are repudiating Trump’s agenda, which panders to billionaires. “Republicans across the country have a choice: stand up to Trump, or face defeat.”<\/p>\n
Lucy Ripp, communications director for Better Wisconsin Together, which represents progressive concerns in the state, also credited the state’s grassroots efforts as a model for the nation.<\/p>\n
“Wisconsinites have spoken, and together their votes have decided that Wisconsin needs leaders who will protect our freedoms while rejecting the politics of fear and division,” Ripp noted. “Wisconsin voters chose common sense, progress, and freedom over a radical, right-wing partisan agenda that thrives on dividing our communities and leaving working families behind in service of billionaires and special interests.”<\/p>\n
“By maintaining a strong progressive majority, the Wisconsin Supreme Court will continue as a crucial line of defense in protecting Wisconsinites’ constitutional rights and freedoms,” Ripp added, “and a vital check on the Trump and Musk agenda amid the barrage of threats to our rights and livelihoods emanating from the White House.”<\/p>\n
As of this report, neither Trump nor Musk had acknowledged Crawford’s victory over Schimel on their main social media channels\u2014though each celebrated the approval of a controversial and “regressive” voter I.D. law in the state. To some critics, their combined silence on the Supreme Court race felt quite telling.<\/p>\n