- April 1 election determines ideological control of Wisconsin’s highest court
- Abortion rights and union laws dominate judicial campaign
- Schimel defends 1849 abortion ban; Crawford champions reproductive freedom
- 4,000+ sexual assault evidence kits delayed during Schimel’s tenure
- National donors spend $8M+ influencing critical state race
With Wisconsin’s Supreme Court balance hanging in the balance, candidates Brad Schimel and Susan Crawford prepare for their lone debate ahead of the April 1 election. This judicial contest carries national implications, attracting unprecedented financial support from tech billionaire Elon Musk and progressive donor George Soros. The winner will shape rulings on abortion access, union rights, and election laws in America’s quintessential swing state.
The court’s 4-3 liberal majority faces potential reversal as Schimel, endorsed by law enforcement and anti-abortion groups, challenges Crawford’s progressive platform. Recent polling shows 62% of Wisconsin voters consider judicial elections crucial for protecting constitutional rights, reflecting growing awareness of state courts’ policy impacts. Historical trends suggest 78% of Wisconsin’s high-stakes judicial races since 2000 have influenced major legislation within two years.
Abortion remains the most contentious issue, with Crawford leveraging her Planned Parenthood defense record against Schimel’s support for Wisconsin’s 1849 abortion ban. Legal analysts note this marks the first statewide test of abortion politics since Roe v. Wade’s reversal, potentially creating a blueprint for other Midwestern states. Crawford’s campaign highlights that 94% of sexual assault evidence kits were processed after Schimel left office, contrasting with his delayed testing of 4,000+ kits during his term.
Union rights resurface as a flashpoint, with Crawford’s failed 2018 lawsuit against Act 10 contrasting with Schimel’s defense of the controversial law. The court’s pending review of Act 10’s constitutionality could redefine public sector bargaining rights across the Great Lakes region. Wisconsin’s unique status as the only state with April judicial elections amplifies voter mobilization challenges, with turnout historically averaging 33% in non-presidential years.
Regional political dynamics come into sharp focus as Milwaukee County—home to 20% of Wisconsin’s electorate—reports record-breaking early voter registration. This urban-rural divide mirrors 2022’s contentious Illinois judicial race, where Chicago’s turnout decided a similar policy-focused court battle. With Musk’s $8M ad blitz targeting suburban voters and Soros funding Milwaukee get-out-the-vote efforts, Wisconsin’s judicial election sets a new precedent for national interference in state courts.