Mar 22, 2025; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Congressman Dave McCormick, Elon Musk and U.S. Representative Jim Jordan during the Division I Men's Wrestling Championship held at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images
Wisconsin – The battle for Wisconsin’s Supreme Court has morphed into something much bigger than a judicial election. With control of the court on the line, the April 1 vote has become a test of both the new administration and the growing political influence of Elon Musk, a billionaire-turned-conservative power player.
Musk, who poured more than $200 million into Donald Trump’s reelection campaign, isn’t just funding the conservative candidate, former Republican Attorney General Brad Schimel. He’s making himself a central figure in the race, hosting get-out-the-vote events on his X platform and pouring millions into attack ads against the liberal-backed candidate, Judge Susan Crawford.
“This election is going to affect everyone in the United States,” Musk said over the weekend, urging voters to back Schimel.
But the race isn’t just about one court seat. The Wisconsin Supreme Court could end up deciding major cases on abortion rights, labor laws, and most critically, redistricting—potentially shifting the balance of power in Congress for years to come. In 2020, the court narrowly rejected Trump’s bid to throw out 221,000 votes in Democratic strongholds.
With Republicans eager to consolidate their hold on power and Democrats looking for a way to strike back, both parties see this election as a crucial battleground. And for many voters, the issue isn’t just Trump—it’s Musk.
Musk’s deep involvement has turned him into a lightning rod for Democratic attacks. “Don’t let Elon buy the Supreme Court,” blare billboards across Wisconsin, featuring the billionaire pulling Schimel’s puppet strings. Democrats are painting the election as a chance to push back against his influence, from politics to corporate interests.
“This race is the first real test point in the country on Elon Musk and his influence,” said Derrick Honeyman, a spokesperson for Crawford’s campaign.
Crawford has leaned into the contrast, even referring to her opponent as “Elon Schimel” in a recent debate. Meanwhile, Democrats are mobilizing small-dollar donors at a record pace, packing town halls and rallying around opposition to Musk’s growing political role.
For Musk, the Wisconsin Supreme Court fight isn’t just about ideology—it’s personal. Just days before his political groups started pouring money into the race, his company Tesla sued the state over dealership laws that prevent it from selling cars directly to consumers. The case could ultimately land before the very court he’s trying to influence.
His efforts are already making history. With over $73 million spent so far, this is now the most expensive judicial election in U.S. history. And with both parties framing it as a defining moment, the stakes couldn’t be higher.
Beyond Wisconsin, this race is a preview of the battles to come in next year’s midterms and the 2028 presidential election. A Schimel victory could embolden Musk and Trump’s allies, while a Crawford win could shake their grip on power.
For now, the question is whether Wisconsin voters want their Supreme Court shaped by one of the world’s richest men—or if they’ll decide to push back.
