Wisconsin’s high-stakes Supreme Court race has erupted into a clash of billionaire donors as Elon Musk and George Soros pour millions into opposing campaigns. Republican-backed candidate Brad Schimel criticized Soros’ $1 million donation to rival Susan Crawford, calling his policies ‘dangerous for America,’ while Democrats accuse Musk of attempting to ‘buy’ judicial influence.
The April 1 election will decide control of Wisconsin’s highest court, with major cases looming on:
- Abortion access post-Roe v. Wade
- Union organizing rights
- 2024 election rules
- Congressional redistricting
‘This isn’t about partisanship – it’s about preserving judicial independence,’ Schimel declared at a Wisconsin Counties Association meeting.
‘I follow the law, not donors,’he asserted, despite receiving $1.7 million from state Republicans and Musk-funded PACs.
Crawford’s campaign fired back through spokesperson Derrick Honeyman:
‘Musk knows Schimel is for sale. That’s why he’s spending millions to install him.’The Democratic-supported judge has garnered $3 million from party coffers, including Soros-linked funds.
Analysts warn the outcome could reshape Wisconsin’s political landscape for a decade. With Republicans controlling one of America’s most gerrymandered state legislatures, the court’s 4-3 liberal majority currently serves as a check on GOP policies. A Schimel victory would tilt this balance, potentially affecting:
• Tesla’s lawsuit against Wisconsin dealership bans
• 2024 election challenges
• Police funding reforms backed by Soros-aligned groups
Both candidates face mounting pressure to recuse themselves from donor-linked cases. Schimel refused to commit to stepping aside from Tesla’s pending lawsuit, stating he’d evaluate it ‘like any other case.’ Crawford similarly hedged on recusal protocols despite Soros’ financial ties.
With $5.3 million already spent – the most in Wisconsin judicial history – this race serves as a national testing ground for post-Trump politics. As Schimel warned, ‘This election will determine whether courts follow the law or become political tools.’