9 sources·Politics

Record $90 Million at Stake in High-Stakes Wisconsin Supreme Court Election Amid Elon Musk's Controversial Influence

In a record-breaking election, Wisconsin chooses between liberal Susan Crawford and conservative Brad Schimel, fueled by $20 million from Elon Musk.

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  4. 5 reasons all eyes are on Tuesday’s elections in Florida and Wisconsin

    Despite some high-dollar donations backing Democrats from the likes of Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker and mega donor George Soros, no one is coming close to Musk.

    5 reasons all eyes are on Tuesday’s elections in Florida and Wisconsin

    PoliticoPolitico·19d
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    ·
    Center
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  5. 'This Is the State of American Democracy': Sanders Calls for Public Funding of Elections as Musk Buys Votes With $1 Million Checks

    Musk's super political action committee, America PAC, has spent over $12 million on the race to benefit Schimel—and another Musk-linked group, Building Americas Future, has spent nearly $6 million, according to the Brennan Center.

    'This Is the State of American Democracy': Sanders Calls for Public Funding of Elections as Musk Buys Votes With $1 Million Checks

    Common DreamsCommon Dreams·19d
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    Left
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  6. Musk Is Still Paying for Political Influence

    In many ways, tomorrow’s election is also a potential validation—or referendum—on the profound upheaval that Trump and Musk have wrought on the United States over the past nine weeks.

    Musk Is Still Paying for Political Influence

    The AtlanticThe Atlantic·19d
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    Leans Left
    This outlet slightly leans left.
  7. Why Elon Musk Is Involved in the Wisconsin Supreme Court Race

    The impact of the Wisconsin race could be felt at a national level, as the state’s Supreme Court is set to rule on issues from abortion rights to congressional redistricting, the latter of which would impact the makeup of the U.S. House of Representatives in particular.

    Why Elon Musk Is Involved in the Wisconsin Supreme Court Race

    TIME MagazineTIME Magazine·19d
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    This outlet slightly leans left.
  8. Tuesday's elections by the numbers: Elon Musk's influence, early voting and more

    The vast majority of the $80 million-plus spent since Jan. 1 on TV in these off-year elections has been in Wisconsin, where the contest between state judges Susan Crawford and Brad Schimel has been the most expensive state Supreme Court race in history, surpassing the state's 2023 campaign.

    Tuesday's elections by the numbers: Elon Musk's influence, early voting and more

    NBC NewsNBC News·19d
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  1. MSNBC
  2. USA TODAY
  3. BBC News
  4. Politico
  5. Common Dreams
  6. The Atlantic
  7. TIME Magazine
  8. NBC News
Updated: Apr 1st, 2025, 9:01 AM ET

Summary

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As Wisconsin voters head to the polls for a critical Supreme Court election, a staggering $90 million is at stake, largely influenced by Elon Musk's significant financial backing. Musk has contributed over $20 million, impacting candidates Brad Schimel, a conservative backed by Donald Trump, and liberal Susan Crawford, supported by Democrats including Barack Obama. This election poses significant implications for state law on issues like abortion and redistricting, and early voter turnout is surpassing previous records, signaling heightened engagement on both sides. The results will reveal voter sentiment towards Trump and signal potential shifts in future elections.

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  • The Wisconsin Supreme Court race has attracted significant financial contributions from major political figures, particularly Elon Musk, leading to unprecedented spending levels, surpassing a historic $90 million in total campaign expenditures.

  • Musk's super PAC and affiliated organizations have been heavily involved in supporting Brad Schimel, reflecting a broader trend of growing financial stakes in state elections and potential impacts on national policies, including abortion rights and redistricting.

  • Early voting trends indicate a potentially competitive environment in Wisconsin, with both parties mobilizing their bases and heightened voter engagement driven by the significant campaign spending.

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