Multistate Associates Blog Record-Breaking Wisconsin Judicial Election Delivers Major Confidence Boost to Democrats (Court Report)

Liberal Susan Crawford defeated conservative Brad Schimel in Wisconsin's Supreme Court election. This nationally significant race has policy implications within the state and repercussions beyond state borders. The election is critical because the Court will soon hear a case challenging Wisconsin's abortion ban, along with other politically charged issues including voter redistricting that could impact Democrats' future control of the U.S. House of Representatives, At almost $100 million, this was the most expensive judicial election in U.S. history, doubling the previous record. Elon Musk contributed an estimated $20 million to support the conservative candidate. Wisconsin likely sets a precedent for future judicial elections, with Pennsylvania's Supreme Court races in November 2025 expected to become the next national partisan battleground absent campaign funding reforms.