Staff Reports
In a move that could reshape the future of Wisconsin’s highest court, a conservative nonprofit with ties to billionaire Elon Musk is diving headfirst into a contentious Supreme Court race. Building America’s Future, the organization in question, is dropping a cool $1.6 million on a television ad blitz that kicked off on Thursday, targeting the state’s five largest media markets and ensuring that Wisconsinites are well aware of the political stakes involved. Given Musk’s previous support of Trump and his current advisory role, this undertaking is akin to a strategic bombing run on the liberal hold over the Wisconsin Supreme Court.
The stakes are undeniably high. The April 1 election is touted as the most significant contest since Trump’s sweep of all swing states last fall. For Republicans, this race is not just about maintaining conservative influence but about serving notice to the rest of the country that blue states are not invulnerable. With major cases on the horizon concerning abortion rights, election laws, and congressional redistricting, control of the court will dictate whether Wisconsin continues on its leftward drift or turns back toward common-sense conservatism.
Running for the court is Brad Schimel, a Republican and former state attorney general, who is currently a judge in Waukesha County. Cherishing his Trump affiliation like a prized trophy, Schimel has expressed enthusiasm for any endorsement from Trump, who remains a significant figure in Republican circles, as evidenced by his influence at the national level. With Musk backing him financially, Schimel is certainly not hurting for resources, reinforcing the notion that well-placed financial support can upend establishment Democrats.
On the opposite side of the ring stands Dane County Circuit Judge Susan Crawford, a candidate firmly entrenched in the Democratic establishment. Backed by the Wisconsin Democratic Party and endorsed by organizations such as Planned Parenthood and Wisconsin AFL-CIO, Crawford’s record suggests she’s more intent on promoting a far-left agenda than protecting Wisconsinites’ interests. Her previous actions as a private attorney, challenging laws regarding abortion and union rights, reveal her affinity for liberal dogma, making her a prime target for conservative attacks, especially as Schimel looks to paint her as a puppet to extremist ideologies.
Group backed by Elon Musk pours money into ads on behalf of GOP candidate in Wisconsin Supreme Court racehttps://t.co/yjnphx11xu pic.twitter.com/Bgy2TNU1Jv
— The Washington Times (@WashTimes) February 20, 2025
What’s particularly amusing is the expected uproar from Democrats over Musk’s involvement. They have resorted to labeling Schimel as “bought and paid for” by “right-wing extremists,” a battle cry that has become as predictable as the sunrise. Of course, it conveniently neglects the sizable donations flowing to Crawford’s campaign from notable liberal billionaires, including George Soros and JB Pritzker. The irony does not escape anyone paying attention: while one side derides outside money, they are perfectly fine with it as long as it flows in their direction.
As the ad wars intensify, Wisconsin is poised to witness what could become the most expensive state Supreme Court election in history. This isn’t merely an election; it’s a battleground for the ideological future of the state. With both sides gearing up for a financial arms race, the tussle between the Musk-backed Schimel and the well-resourced Crawford promises fireworks that will reverberate beyond state lines, stirring the pot of nationwide political competitiveness and, undoubtedly, raising the stakes for voters as they contemplate the future of their state’s judicial landscape.
