Democratic-backed Crawford Secures Win in Record-Breaking Wisconsin Supreme Court Race Against Musk-backed Schimel
Dane County Judge Susan Crawford has won the Wisconsin Supreme Court race, defeating GOP-backed Brad Schimel, amid record campaign spending over $90 million.
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The result means that liberals will keep a 4-3 ideological majority on the state supreme court.
Wisconsin supreme court race: liberal Susan Crawford beats Musk-backed candidate
The Guardian·18d·ReliableThis source consistently reports facts with minimal bias, demonstrating high-quality journalism and accuracy.Leans LeftThis outlet slightly leans left.The elections — the first major contests since Trump’s return to power — were seen as an early measure of voter sentiment as Trump works with unprecedented speed to dramatically upend the federal government, clashing with the courts and seeking revenge as he tests the bounds of presidential power.
Wisconsin and Florida elections provide early warning signs to Trump and Republicans
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Crawford's win is a rebuke to President Trump and billionaire Elon Musk, who poured millions into the race — and it will maintain the court's liberal tilt in a key swing state.
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Trump suffered a setback after a Democrat-backed judge was elected to the Wisconsin Supreme Court despite his cost-cutting tsar, Elon Musk, pouring more than $21m into the campaign of her conservative opponent.
Trump gets mixed scorecard in first election tests in Florida and Wisconsin
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Tuesday’s elections affected more than the world of campaign politics.
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Ultimately, the Wisconsin race was the biggest rebuke yet faced by Republicans at the ballot box since Trump took office.
5 takeaways from Wisconsin Supreme Court race, Florida special elections
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The result adds to the GOP’s slim majority, bringing it to 220-213.
4 Takeaways From April 1 Elections in Florida, Wisconsin
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Crawford's victory also means liberals will maintain a 4-3 advantage on the court for at least another year heading into a term when it could decide cases about abortion rights, unions and collective bargaining rights, and congressional maps and redistricting.
Susan Crawford wins Wisconsin Supreme Court race, defying Elon Musk
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But, unlike in November, Democrats had an effective plan to counter it.
Elon Musk Tried to Buy Wisconsin’s Supreme Court. He Lost.
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Musk became invested in the race back in January, shortly after Tesla filed a lawsuit challenging a Wisconsin state law that bars vehicle manufacturers from selling directly to consumers.
Dems Win Wisconsin Supreme Court Race Despite Elon's Money Blitz
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Wisconsin was arguably the most gerrymandered state in the country until recently.
Musk-Backed Candidate Loses Crucial Wisconsin Supreme Court Race as Liberals Maintain Control
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Crawford's victory will be seen as a bright spot for Democrats in Wisconsin and nationwide as voters handed the president’s preferred candidate a defeat in the first major political test of the second Trump era.
Liberals will win majority of the Wisconsin Supreme Court, projects | Politics
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Tuesday’s result is likely to have far-reaching consequences on hot-button issues like abortion and voting rights in the battleground state.
Susan Crawford wins Wisconsin’s Supreme Court election, preserving liberals' majority
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The race has become the most expensive judicial contest in U.S. history and is expected to reach $100 million, which practically doubles the previous record spent on a judicial contest held by the 2023 Wisconsin Supreme Court election.
Wisconsinites Head to the Polls in High-Stakes State Supreme Court Election
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The media coverage of this high stake’s race – has centered on two narratives – the money – particularly – Elon Musk’s financial backing of the conservative candidate – and – the power – with the winning justice likely casting the deciding vote on redistricting – possibly impacting Republicans’ control of the House.
How media chose sides in Wisconsin's Supreme Court election: Bias Breakdown
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The election will determine the ideological balance of Wisconsin's highest court ahead of potential rulings on hot-button issues like reproductive rights, voting regulation and redistricting.
Susan Crawford's chances of winning Wisconsin Supreme Court: Betting odds
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A robust rural turnout in places Trump dominated in 2024 will be key for Schimel, who started the race as the underdog.
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Thus, while the Republicans are favored to win in each district, given that both were ruby-red in 2024, some have speculated that the margin between the Republicans and Democrats in at least the 6th District could be tighter than anticipated.
GOP eyes its House majority in competitive special elections in Florida to replace Waltz, Gaetz
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Special elections are often low-turnout events that can lead to surprising results.
Florida Republicans face off against well-funded Democrats in US House special elections
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The technically non-partisan race has drawn national attention because it could change how the state’s seven-member court rules on partisan issues like abortion.
Tight state elections underway in Wisconsin, Florida
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If there was ever a symbol of why we need to get big money out of politics, reform campaign financing, stop conflicts of interest, and tax great wealth, Musk is it.
Today's the day to tell Trump to go you-know-where
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The contest has turned into a referendum on President Donald Trump's sweeping and controversial moves during the opening months of his second tour of duty in the White House.
First major swing state election of 2025 turns into referendum on Trump, Musk
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Regardless of what happens with Wisconsin’s congressional map, Tuesday’s outcome could carry symbolic weight ahead of next year's midterm elections.
Consequences of a potential ideological shake up loom over Wisconsin court race
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Summary
Dane County Circuit Judge Susan Crawford has been declared the winner of the Wisconsin Supreme Court race against Republican Brad Schimel, backed by Elon Musk, with election spending surpassing $90 million, marking it the most expensive judicial race in U.S. history. Crawford's victory is pivotal for maintaining the court's liberal balance, influencing key issues like abortion rights and redistricting. Despite significant financial support for Schimel, Crawford's appeal to reproductive rights and strong Democratic backing led to her success. Election officials noted historic turnout, further emphasizing the race's significance as a reflection of public sentiment during Trump's second term.
Perspectives
Susan Crawford's victory in Wisconsin's Supreme Court race reflects significant public sentiment against excessive campaign spending by billionaires like Elon Musk, emphasizing a demand for fair judicial processes over monetary influence.
Crawford's win is a pivotal moment in the political landscape as it preserves the liberal majority on the Wisconsin Supreme Court, with its implications for crucial issues like abortion rights and redistricting impacting both state and national elections.
Republican victories in Florida's special elections, despite tighter margins, reaffirm the GOP's control in a crucial battleground state and provide a cushion for supporting Trump's legislative agenda.
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