US: Liberal comes out tops of Wisconsin Supreme Court election

Wisconsin voters elected Susan Crawford to the state Supreme Court on Tuesday, preserving the court’s 4-3 liberal majority in a blow to President Donald Trump and his billionaire ally Elon Musk, who had supported her conservative opponent.

According to New York University’s Brennan Center, the election was seen as an early referendum on Trump’s presidency. The race became the most expensive judicial contest in U.S. history, with over $90 million spent by candidates, state parties, and outside groups.

Crawford, a county judge, defeated conservative Brad Schimel, a former Republican state attorney general and fellow county judge. Schimel conceded both in a phone call to Crawford and in a speech to his supporters.

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With 75% of the votes counted, Crawford led with 55% to Schimel’s 45%, a margin of approximately 178,000 votes.

With control of the court on the line, Musk and affiliated political groups poured over $21 million into supporting Schimel.

Crawford reportedly framed the election as a battle between her and the out-of-state billionaire.

Crawford said,

“I’ve got to tell you, 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 and Wisconsin. And we won.”