- Court rejects eleventh-hour bid to halt Musk-funded voter incentives
- Justices refuse recusal despite ties to opposing judicial candidate
- PACs tied to billionaire spend $19.8M on pivotal state race
In a dramatic midnight ruling, Wisconsin's highest court cleared the path for tech mogul Elon Musk to proceed with controversial election-related cash incentives during a heated judicial campaign. The decision marks the latest escalation in what has become America's costliest state Supreme Court race, with campaign finance experts warning of unprecedented corporate influence in judicial elections.
The court's 4-3 split decision concluded mere minutes before Musk's scheduled appearance at a Green Bay town hall supporting conservative candidate Brad Schimel. Legal analysts note the ruling establishes concerning precedent regarding corporate-funded voter engagement tactics, particularly Musk's pivot from traditional political donations to direct voter incentives.
Court documents reveal Musk-affiliated PACs have deployed over $19.8 million in support of Schimel's candidacy - more than triple the previous state judicial spending record. This financial onslaught coincides with Musk's experimental voter outreach strategy, mirroring 2024 tactics that saw $100 payments to voters who signed judicial reform petitions.
Campaign finance watchdog Brennan Center reports Wisconsin's judicial race spending now exceeds $42 million statewide, outpacing 38 governor's races from the past decade. The surge follows Musk's public commitment to disrupt antiquated election systemsthrough tech industry-style incentive programs.
Legal scholars highlight the case's implications for digital-era campaign regulations. When a billionaire can legally offer life-changing sums to voters through PAC loopholes,notes University of Wisconsin law professor Ellen Marrison, we're witnessing the gamification of democracy.
The failed lawsuit argued Musk's promotion violated Wisconsin Statute § 12.11, which prohibits offering anything of valueto influence voting behavior. However, defense attorneys successfully framed the payments as legitimate spokesperson agreements- a novel interpretation that could reshape campaign finance law nationwide.
With Tuesday's election deciding control of Wisconsin's highest court, political operatives confirm both parties are studying Musk's incentive model for future races. As nightlife districts buzzed with last-minute canvassers offering $50 gift cards for pledge commitments, one veteran campaign manager confessed: We're all just trying to keep up with the new rules.
