Unraveling Shadows: Unseen Forces in Wisconsin’s Supreme Court Race

The Wisconsin Supreme Court election spotlighted significant foreign influences in campaign financing and raised questions about the integrity of state election processes.

Key Takeaways

Susan Crawford secured a critical win backed by national Democrats.
A dark money group with foreign funding donated $1 million to Crawford’s campaign.
Elon Musk spent $25 million supporting conservative candidate Brad Schimel.
The race marked the most expensive Supreme Court campaign in U.S. history.

Wisconsin Supreme Court Election Expenditure

Susan Crawford won a cornerstone seat on the Wisconsin Supreme Court. Her campaign was notably supported by major national Democratic groups, with the Sixteen Thirty Fund, linked to foreign investors, donating a whopping $1 million to fuel her campaign. Crawford’s opponent, Judge Brad Schimel, received $25 million in backing from Elon Musk, highlighting the profound influence of financial investments in this election.

Crawford, a Dane County Circuit Court judge since 2018, rallied with a campaign focused on countering Musk’s influence. The state Democratic Party branded the race “The People v. Musk,” emphasizing Crawford’s depiction of Schimel as “Elon Schimel.”

Campaign Finance Scrutiny

The election raised pivotal questions about campaign finance transparency and the risks foreign entities pose to U.S. politics. Americans for Public Trust spotlighted the concerning influence of dark money, calling for legislative measures to constrict loopholes that permit foreign financial sway in elections. This alarming trend echoes across various states as they consider tightening regulations to bolster electoral integrity.

“Today, Wisconsinites fended off an unprecedented attack on our democracy, our fair elections and our Supreme Court,” Judge Crawford stated in her victory speech on Tuesday evening. “Wisconsin stood up and said loudly that justice does not have a price. Our courts are not for sale.”

Crawford’s campaign concentrated on her opponent’s ties to Musk, reinforcing her commitment to democratic ideals and distancing the state judiciary from external financial influence. Her victory not only cements a liberal majority in Wisconsin’s Supreme Court but also resonates as a broader repudiation of Musk’s political endeavors.

All the media wants to talk about is @elonmusk but ignore 77% of Susan Crawford’s $$$ comes from out-of-state donors compared to only 15% of Brad Schimel’s donations. The left loves to accuse conservatives of things they do. Schimel’s only promise is to uphold the Constitution! pic.twitter.com/oWe1PGgNEE

— Scott Walker (@ScottWalker) March 31, 2025

State Politics and National Implications

Crawford’s election promises to shift Wisconsin’s judicial landscape, impacting crucial issues such as congressional districting, abortion rights, and election laws. The substantial financial investments from both domestic and international sources in this election underscore the high stakes involved. With turnout exceptionally high for a spring election, this race was a litmus test for Musk’s influence amid criticism of his policy stances.

Crawford’s win serves as a rallying point for Democrats, aligning opposition against Musk and President Trump’s remodeling of federal agencies and government functions. Crawford’s triumph encapsulates a significant ideological shift in state and national politics, potentially redefining partisan strategies and judicial priorities in the coming years.