Donald Trump losses out in the Wisconsin State Supreme Court election

On April 1, 2025, Wisconsin voters delivered a surprising outcome in what became the most expensive judicial race in U.S. history. Brad Schimel, a conservative judge backed by President Donald Trump and billionaire Elon Musk, lost his bid for a seat on the Wisconsin Supreme Court to liberal candidate Susan Crawford. The defeat not only preserved the court’s 4-3 liberal majority but also served as an early signal of voter sentiment in a key battleground state during Trump’s second term. Here’s how it all unfolded.

A High-Stakes Race with National Implications

The Wisconsin Supreme Court election wasn’t just about state judicial matters—it was a proxy battle for national political forces. With the court poised to rule on critical issues like abortion rights, voting laws, and congressional redistricting, the stakes were sky-high. Liberals had gained control of the court in 2023 after 15 years of conservative dominance, and Schimel’s candidacy offered Republicans a chance to flip the balance. Trump’s endorsement and Musk’s unprecedented financial involvement turned the race into a referendum on their influence.

Schimel, a Waukesha County judge and former Republican attorney general, leaned heavily into his conservative credentials. He aligned himself with Trump’s agenda, campaigning in a MAGA-style hat and emphasizing his role as a potential “support network” for the president. Meanwhile, Crawford, a Dane County judge with a history of fighting for union rights and abortion access, framed the election as a stand against out-of-state billionaires meddling in Wisconsin’s affairs.

The Money Flood: Musk’s Millions and Beyond

This wasn’t a typical low-key judicial contest. Spending soared past $100 million, shattering records and dwarfing even some U.S. Senate races. Elon Musk emerged as the biggest player, pouring over $20 million into Schimel’s campaign through his America PAC and other groups. His tactics included offering voters $100 to sign a petition against “activist judges” and handing out $1 million checks at a Green Bay rally days before the election—moves that sparked legal challenges and accusations of vote-buying.

Musk’s involvement wasn’t just about ideology. His electric car company, Tesla, had sued Wisconsin over a law barring it from opening dealerships, a case that could eventually reach the state Supreme Court. A conservative majority might have favored his interests, adding a personal stake to his investment. On the other side, Crawford benefited from hefty donations by liberal billionaires like George Soros and Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, though her campaign’s $45 million haul still trailed Schimel’s $53 million.

The Campaign: Promises, Attacks, and Turnout

Schimel’s campaign leaned on Trump’s endorsement, issued on March 22 via Truth Social, where the president urged supporters to “GET OUT TO VOTE EARLY” for a candidate who would uphold “the Rule of Law.” Schimel echoed Trump’s rhetoric, raising debunked concerns about voter fraud and tying his candidacy to the president’s broader agenda. Musk amplified this message, warning that a Crawford win could lead liberals to redraw congressional maps, potentially costing Republicans their U.S. House majority.

Crawford, however, turned Musk into a liability. Her campaign ran ads portraying him as a meddling outsider, even featuring him with a chainsaw to symbolize his role in Trump’s federal cost-cutting efforts. She positioned herself as a defender of Wisconsin values, famously declaring at her victory party, “As a little girl growing up in Chippewa Falls, I never could have imagined that I’d be taking on the richest man in the world for justice in Wisconsin. And we won!”

Turnout proved decisive. While judicial elections typically see lower participation than presidential races, liberals had a strong track record of mobilizing for these contests in recent years. Crawford’s 9-point victory—54.4% to Schimel’s 45.6% with 94% of votes counted—reflected that energy, outpacing Trump’s narrow 0.86-point win in the state just five months earlier.

The Fallout: What It Means for Trump and Musk

Schimel’s loss is a blow to Trump and Musk, who staked significant political capital on the race. For Trump, it’s an early stumble in his second term, suggesting that his endorsement doesn’t guarantee success in lower-turnout elections where Democratic enthusiasm can shine. For Musk, the defeat raises questions about his political clout. Despite his massive spending, voters seemed to reject his influence, possibly soured by his controversial role in Trump’s administration and the backlash to his cash giveaways.

The result also keeps Wisconsin’s Supreme Court in liberal hands, ensuring it will likely uphold abortion access, reconsider labor restrictions, and potentially reshape congressional districts ahead of the 2026 midterms. Republicans did score one win—a ballot measure enshrining voter ID requirements in the state constitution passed overwhelmingly—but it wasn’t enough to offset the judicial setback.

Looking Ahead

Schimel conceded gracefully, telling supporters, “This wasn’t our day,” while playing bass with his rock band post-speech. Crawford, set to be sworn in on August 1 for a 10-year term, vowed to be a “fair, impartial, and common-sense justice.” For Democrats, the victory offers a glimmer of hope after November’s losses, while Republicans may need to rethink their strategy without Trump on the ballot.

In a state where elections are often decided by razor-thin margins, Crawford’s decisive win shows that Wisconsin remains a battleground where local dynamics—and a rejection of outside influence—can still trump national narratives. As the dust settles, one thing is clear: even with Trump and Musk in their corner, Schimel couldn’t overcome the Badger State’s unpredictable electorate.