By Devin Breitenberg
On April 1, 2025, Susan Crawford, a Dane County Circuit Court judge backed by Democrats, won a pivotal seat on the Wisconsin Supreme Court, defeating conservative opponent Brad Schimel in a race that shattered records as the most expensive judicial election in U.S. history. Crawford’s victory ensures that liberals maintain their 4-3 majority on the state’s highest court, a balance that has been in place since 2023, and delivers a significant blow to Republican efforts backed by President Donald Trump and billionaire Elon Musk. The outcome, projected by major outlets like NBC News, CNN, and The Associated Press, underscores the resilience of Wisconsin’s electorate in a contest that became a national proxy battle over judicial influence, abortion rights, and democratic principles.
A Record-Breaking Contest
The race to replace retiring Justice Ann Walsh Bradley drew unprecedented attention and funding, with total spending exceeding $90 million, far surpassing the $50 million record set in Wisconsin’s 2023 Supreme Court election. Crawford’s campaign alone raised $24 million, a record for a judicial candidate, bolstered by national Democratic donors including George Soros and Illinois Governor JB Pritzker. Meanwhile, Schimel, a former Republican attorney general and Waukesha County judge, received over $25 million from Musk and affiliated groups like America PAC and Building America’s Future, alongside a late endorsement from Trump. The influx of cash fuelled an onslaught of television ads, mailers, and rallies, transforming a typically low-profile judicial race into a high-stakes political showdown.
Turnout was extraordinary for a spring election, with estimates suggesting over 2.4 million voters—nearly 40% higher than the 2023 race. Early voting surged, with Milwaukee and Dane Counties, Democratic strongholds, reporting significant increases, while Republican-leaning Waukesha and Ozaukee Counties also saw heightened participation. Milwaukee faced ballot shortages due to “historic turnout,” a testament to the race’s intensity.
Crawford’s Campaign: A Stand Against Outside Influence
Crawford, a Chippewa Falls native with a legal career rooted in public service, framed her candidacy as a defense of Wisconsin’s judicial integrity against external forces. As an assistant attorney general under former Governor Jim Doyle and later in private practice, she built a reputation defending voting rights, union power, and abortion access, notably representing Planned Parenthood in key cases. Her campaign emphasized public safety and constitutional rights, promising “fair and impartial decisions” while decrying the influence of “outsider billionaires” like Musk.
In her victory speech in Madison, Crawford declared, “Today, Wisconsinites fended off an unprecedented attack on our democracy, our fair elections, and our Supreme Court. Justice does not have a price—our courts are not for sale.” She pointedly referenced Musk without naming him, saying, “As a little girl in Chippewa Falls, I never could’ve imagined I’d be taking on the richest man in the world for justice in Wisconsin—and we won!” The crowd erupted in cheers, reflecting a sentiment echoed by voters like Ellen Gilligan, a 71-year-old Milwaukee resident who told PBS News she voted for Crawford to counter Musk’s “unfair” influence.
Schimel’s Defeat and Republican Setback
Brad Schimel, who campaigned on his conservative record and alignment with Trump’s agenda, conceded defeat late on April 1. Addressing supporters in Pewaukee, he acknowledged the loss despite boos from the crowd, saying, “You’ve got to accept the results. The numbers aren’t going to turn around.” Schimel had leaned heavily on Trump’s November 2024 victory in Wisconsin—won by less than 1%—and Musk’s financial muscle, which included controversial moves like handing out $1 million checks to voters at a Green Bay rally on March 30. Musk framed the race as critical to preserving Republican control of Congress, warning that a liberal court could redraw congressional maps to favor Democrats.
Despite these efforts, Schimel trailed Crawford by roughly 9-10 points with over 90% of votes counted, a margin of approximately 184,000 votes per CBS News. The defeat marked a rare misstep for Musk, whose $100 voter incentives and $1 million giveaways drew legal scrutiny but were upheld by the Supreme Court days before the election. Democrats seized on the outcome as a rejection of “MAGA extremism,” with state party chair Ben Wikler calling it “a resounding message that Wisconsin is not for sale.”
Implications for Wisconsin and Beyond
Crawford’s win cements liberal control of the Wisconsin Supreme Court until at least 2028, when the next liberal justice faces re-election. The court, now a 4-3 liberal majority since Janet Protasiewicz’s 2023 victory, has already reshaped state policy, striking down Republican-drawn legislative maps and easing ballot drop box restrictions. Upcoming cases could address abortion rights—specifically whether the state constitution protects access or a 19th-century ban prevails—collective bargaining, and congressional redistricting, issues with national resonance in a swing state that often decides presidential outcomes.
For Democrats, the victory offers momentum after Trump’s return to the White House in January 2025. It signals that highly engaged voters, who dominate off-year elections, remain a potent force against Trump-aligned candidates, even in a state he narrowly carried. Republicans, meanwhile, face questions about the efficacy of Musk’s heavy-handed tactics, which some voters, like Madison’s Jeannine Ramsey, called “shameful” attempts to “bribe” the electorate.
A New Justice Takes the Bench
Crawford will be sworn in on August 1, 2025, for a 10-year term, bringing her experience as a prosecutor, advocate, and judge to a court poised to shape Wisconsin’s future. In her closing remarks, she thanked Schimel for his gracious concession, wished her mother a happy birthday, and quipped about ending the barrage of TV ads—a light moment in a bruising campaign. As she transitions from the campaign trail to the bench, Crawford’s pledge to prioritize safety and fairness will be tested in a state where judicial decisions carry outsized weight.
In a race defined by money, power, and principle, Susan Crawford’s triumph stands as a testament to Wisconsin voters’ resolve, ensuring their Supreme Court remains a battleground for justice rather than a prize to be bought.
Devin Breitenberg is a legal consultant and senior counsel at Devin Law LLC and legal contributor for Veritas Expositae. You can reach her at devin.breitenberg@veritasexpositae.com
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