Liberal Judge Susan Crawford Wins Wisconsin Supreme Court Election, Dealing Blow to Trump and Musk

In a significant political development, a liberal judge, Susan Crawford, has won the election for the Wisconsin Supreme Court, dealing a blow to both Donald Trump and billionaire Elon Musk. The outcome of this election has sparked concerns within the Republican Party about the public's perception of Trump's new administration and Musk's political influence.

The Wisconsin Supreme Court election, held on Tuesday, was one of the most closely watched contests of the day. Concurrently, Republicans secured victories in two special elections for the House of Representatives in Florida, both of which are traditionally strong Republican districts. However, the results were closer than anticipated, adding to the intrigue surrounding the Wisconsin race.

Technically a nonpartisan election, the Wisconsin Supreme Court race shattered spending records for judicial elections in the United States. The contest garnered national attention and was seen as a critical test for Trump's second term. The election was particularly significant because Trump's margin of victory in Wisconsin during the November 2020 presidential election was extremely narrow. This race provided insights into how swing-state voters view Trump's performance in his first 10 weeks in office and whether Musk would be an asset or a liability for Republicans in future elections.

Crawford's victory suggests a growing resistance to Trump and Musk, providing Democrats with a national boost as they seek a successful message to counter the president. The outcome will have significant implications for abortion rights and labor union organization in the state. It could also influence the redistricting of two Republican-controlled congressional districts, which Democrats hope to challenge in their efforts to regain control of the House in 2026.

Musk and associated groups spent at least $20 million on the election, making him a central figure in the race. In the week leading up to the election, Musk visited Wisconsin and handed out $100,000 checks to two lucky voters who had signed a petition opposing "radical judges." Musk, the CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, was the largest donor in the election and has been a prominent figure in Trump's administration.

The total spending on the Wisconsin Supreme Court election is expected to approach $100 million, surpassing the previous national record for judicial election spending. The previous record was set in the 2023 Wisconsin Supreme Court election, where a liberal candidate won by an 11-point margin, shifting the court to a liberal majority for the first time in 15 years. The current election's advertising expenditure alone exceeded $77 million, highlighting the intense competition and national interest in the race.