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Wisconsin Supreme Court Election: Susan Crawford’s Victory Signal of Democratic Resilience
Susan Crawford claimed victory in her bid for a seat on the Wisconsin Supreme Court, a pivotal outcome for Democrats who framed the election as a judgment on the influence of Elon Musk and Donald Trump on American democracy.
Crawford, a liberal judge hailing from Dane County, triumphed over Brad Schimel, a conservative candidate and former Republican attorney general from Waukesha County. This election has become renowned as the most expensive judicial race in U.S. history, largely fueled by significant financial contributions from Musk and his affiliated groups, who invested millions to support Schimel’s candidacy.
In her victory speech in Madison, Crawford expressed gratitude to Wisconsin voters, stating, “Today Wisconsinites fended off an unprecedented attack on our democracy. Wisconsin stood up and said loudly that justice does not have a price. Our courts are not for sale.”
With over 84% of ballots counted, Crawford maintained a lead of nearly 10 percentage points against Schimel.
In his concession speech, Schimel reflected on the campaign, stating he and his team “didn’t leave anything on the field.” He acknowledged the results, remarking to his supporters, “No, you gotta accept the results,” and dispelling any hope for a turnaround due to the unfavorable vote counts.
This outcome solidifies a 4-3 liberal majority on the Wisconsin Supreme Court, critical as the court gears up to hear significant cases regarding abortion rights and collective bargaining. The court may also engage in reviewing congressional district maps that currently favor Republican representation in the state.
Milwaukee witnessed an impressive turnout for this spring election, with officials reporting that the high voter engagement led to seven polling places running out of ballots. The city’s elections commission worked to address the shortage as voters lined up during peak hours.
The spending for this election exceeded $80 million, surpassing the previous record of approximately $51 million set during the 2023 Wisconsin Supreme Court race. Among the significant contributors, Musk and his associates contributed over $20 million. His campaign tactics included financial incentives for voters opposed to “activist judges,” reminiscent of strategies he employed to benefit Trump in the past.
Emphasizing the iimpact of the election, Musk stated that it “might decide the future of America and western civilization,” a sentiment that highlighted the perceived stakes of the race.
Democrats leveraged Musk’s involvement to galvanize voters concerned about his influence on government agencies, presenting the election as a crucial litmus test. This strategy proved effective, sparking grassroots fundraising and heightened political engagement from constituents typically uninvolved in local races.
Crawford shared her surprise and determination, saying, “Growing up in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, I never thought I would be taking on the richest man in the world for justice. And we won.”
Following the disclosure of Musk’s significant financial involvement, the state Democratic Party experienced a surge in donations and a resurgence of grassroots activists eager to participate in the election. Party Chair Ben Wikler noted that discussions referencing Musk’s monetary influence motivated previously disengaged voters.
Voter Jeannine Ramsey, 65, expressed her concerns, stating she supported Crawford due to her belief that Schimel, backed by Musk, would not uphold fairness on critical issues. “I think it’s shameful that Elon Musk can come here and spend millions of dollars and try to bribe the citizens,” Ramsey remarked, emphasizing that such financial influence should not be allowed.
Political analysts have cautioned against overinterpreting the implications of this race for broader national sentiments, considering that turnout for a state supreme court election usually falls short of a general election. Nonetheless, there are positive indicators for Democrats looking ahead.
Wikler pointed out that the election results could inform long-term strategies to build stronger communication and voter engagement in future elections. He remarked, “The hard work of reaching the voters who pay the least attention to politics is going to take years.”
Ken Martin, chair of the Democratic National Committee, lauded the outcome, stating that Wisconsin voters had decisively rejected the involvement of influential billionaires in local elections, sending a message that they prefer to maintain control over their judicial system.
As Crawford prepares to transition from her campaign to her upcoming role on the court, she highlighted her commitment to delivering fair and impartial judgments, quipping to her mother watching from home about her relief at the end of the campaign ads.
Jenny Peek contributed reporting from Madison, Wisconsin
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