Elections for state Supreme Courts rarely grab national attention, but the April 1 race for a Wisconsin Supreme Court seat is being hailed as the most expensive and consequential election in America. With a staggering $100 million pouring into the battle and high-profile endorsements from Donald Trump and Elon Musk, this race is about far more than just Wisconsin—it could shape the future of the nation.
As a key battleground state, Wisconsin has long been a political litmus test, and control of its Supreme Court could dictate the direction of critical policies, from election integrity to abortion rights. The court, currently split with four liberal justices and three conservatives, is at a tipping point. With one liberal justice retiring, the stakes couldn’t be higher.
The candidates couldn’t be more different. On one side is Dane County Judge Susan Crawford, a liberal backed by deep-pocketed donors, including a George Soros-funded group. On the other is Waukesha County Judge and former Wisconsin Attorney General Brad Schimel, a staunch conservative endorsed by Trump and Musk. Crawford has accepted a million-dollar donation from the Soros-backed group and attended a partisan fundraiser focused on ousting Republican lawmakers. Meanwhile, Musk has thrown a staggering $13 million into Schimel’s campaign, even offering $100 to voters who provide their contact information and sign a petition against activist judges.
The implications of this race extend far beyond Wisconsin. Under a liberal-controlled court, Democrats redrew legislative maps in 2020, costing Republicans several seats. With Crawford on the bench, Democrats could once again challenge district lines to unseat Republican U.S. Representatives Bryan Steil and Derrick Van Orden. Republicans, on the other hand, are fighting to reclaim the court, secure voter ID laws, and uphold collective bargaining restrictions.
The court is also set to rule on abortion cases before the new justice is sworn in this August, setting the stage for future legal battles. While Crawford firmly supports abortion rights, Schimel, a longtime opponent, has moderated his stance during the campaign, vowing to respect the will of the voters.
With national figures weighing in, millions of dollars flooding into campaign war chests, and the power to reshape Wisconsin’s—and America’s—political landscape, this is no ordinary election. Both parties see an opportunity to solidify their influence for years to come, making Wisconsin the ultimate battleground in the war for America’s future.
