Musk Steps Into Wisconsin Court Battle As Conservatives Rally To Secure Critical Victory
With the nation’s most important election this year just days away, conservatives are mobilizing for a crucial battle to determine control of the Wisconsin Supreme Court. Billionaire Elon Musk is setting the example, directly stepping into the fight to support Brad Schimel, President Donald Trump’s endorsed candidate.
The April 1 election between Schimel, a Republican former attorney general, and Dane County Judge Susan Crawford, backed by Democrats including former President Barack Obama, will tip the balance of Wisconsin’s highest court. Currently split evenly between liberals and conservatives, the winner becomes the decisive voice on critical issues such as abortion, voting laws and public-sector union power.
Democrats have been aggressively targeting Musk, who has invested over $20 million supporting Schimel through his America PAC. Democratic ads aired statewide have painted Musk as dangerous, claiming he aims to cut Social Security and eliminate federal departments. Schimel, they argue, would allow Musk’s policies to flourish unchecked.
Musk drew national attention with his bold financial intervention, offering Wisconsin voters $100 each to sign petitions against “activist judges,” and even announcing plans to personally deliver two $1 million checks to Wisconsin petition signers this weekend. This unprecedented move prompted Wisconsin Democratic Attorney General Josh Kaul to swiftly file a lawsuit seeking to block Musk’s payments, arguing they violated state election laws.
Schimel himself has remained neutral regarding Musk’s controversial giveaway plan, stating simply, “I’m not his lawyer,” and declining further comment. He has, however, publicly distanced himself from Musk’s petitions, suggesting he chose not to sign despite agreeing with the message.
Trump, highlighting the significance of the race, endorsed Schimel and hosted a telephone town hall urging conservatives to vote early. He emphasized that a loss would mean the conservative movement “will bypass Wisconsin,” describing Crawford as a “Radical Left Liberal” soft on crime.
Former President Obama, meanwhile, has also engaged directly, tweeting support for Crawford and labeling her as the candidate who would “protect the fundamental rights” of Wisconsin voters.
The race’s extraordinary spending has smashed records, surpassing $80 million and drawing attention from national megadonors. Alongside Musk’s massive spending, liberal billionaires George Soros and Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker have poured millions into Crawford’s campaign.
As conservatives stress, the stakes extend far beyond Wisconsin. Victory for Schimel would secure judicial support for key Republican accomplishments, notably former Gov. Scott Walker’s Act 10, which significantly curtailed the power of public-sector unions — long criticized by conservatives as anti-American institutions that funnel taxpayer money into Democratic campaigns.
Ultimately, conservatives argue, if those occupying taxpayer-funded government jobs are unhappy with their positions or benefits, they are free to seek employment in the private sector — just as millions of American workers must do each day.
