Big-Money Wisconsin Supreme Court Race Could Shake National Politics
Sarah Johnson
March 23, 2025
Brief
Wisconsin's Supreme Court election draws national attention, big money, and political heavyweights. Key issues include redistricting, union reforms, and transgender rights, making this a pivotal race.
The upcoming Wisconsin Supreme Court election is shaping up to be a political showdown of epic proportions. Though officially nonpartisan, it's hard to miss the red and blue battle lines being drawn. With redistricting, union reforms, and transgender rights all hanging in the balance, this race is catching national attention—and a flood of money.
Republicans vs. Democrats: Dane County's Judge Susan Crawford, a Democrat-favored candidate, is being branded by Republicans as "dangerously liberal." They're accusing her of planning to support redistricting strategies that could oust two GOP U.S. House members. Meanwhile, Democrats have fired back at Crawford's opponent, former Wisconsin Attorney General Brad Schimel, for allegedly cozying up to billionaire donors like Elon Musk.
George Soros, the Hungarian-American financier who seems to be the GOP's favorite bogeyman, has contributed $1 million to Wisconsin Democrats, fueling Crawford's campaign. But Republicans aren’t exactly running a grassroots operation either, with major contributions from Joe Ricketts of the Chicago Cubs and Liz Uihlein, president of Uline.
Big Names, Bigger Bucks: Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman, and even the mother of a Google co-founder have all chipped in for Crawford. On the other side, Donald Trump Jr. is campaigning for Schimel. If you ever wanted to see billionaires slug it out via political donations, this is your front-row ticket.
Judicial Activism vs. Conservatism: Schimel has accused Crawford of wanting to "legislate from the bench," a claim Democrats call misleading. He’s also made his stance clear on transgender sports and public-sector unions, emphasizing his conservative judicial philosophy: "I follow the law. I don't try to make it." Crawford's campaign counters that Schimel has a "disturbing record" on criminal justice issues, including letting untested rape kits pile up and offering lenient plea deals.
The Stakes: If Crawford wins, Republicans warn it could lead to a liberal majority in the state Supreme Court, allowing progressive agendas to flourish unchecked for five years. On the flip side, Democrats argue that Crawford’s win would ensure fairness and adherence to the Constitution, with her spokesperson saying she’ll be "fair and impartial."
National Implications: This isn’t just about Wisconsin; it’s about the ripple effect on U.S. politics. Redistricting maps could reshape the House of Representatives, and decisions on transgender rights and union reforms could set legal precedents nationwide.
With the election just days away, both sides are pulling out all the stops. Ads, accusations, and endorsements are flying fast, making this race one of the most heated—and expensive—in Wisconsin’s history. Whether you're rooting for Crawford or Schimel, one thing's clear: the state’s Supreme Court election is anything but local.
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Editor's Comments
This race is a fascinating case study in how local politics can become a national battleground. The sheer amount of money pouring in from both sides makes it feel more like an arms race than an election. Also, can we talk about how billionaires are basically playing chess with democracy? If Wisconsin voters don’t feel the pressure, they’re clearly better at handling stress than the rest of us.
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