Susan Crawford’s victory keeps liberals in charge, despite Musk’s $21m bid to sway Wisconsin’s court

A stunning defeat for Donald Trump and Elon Musk unfolded in Wisconsin as liberal-backed Judge Susan Crawford secured a commanding victory in the state’s Supreme Court election. Despite a record-breaking campaign war chest and Musk’s personal investment of over $21 million, conservative candidate Brad Schimel failed to flip the court, leaving the balance of power unchanged at 4-3 in favour of liberals.

This high-stakes battle wasn’t just another judicial race—it was a referendum on Trump’s presidency and a test of Musk’s growing political influence. The contest became the most expensive judicial election in US history, with over $90 million spent in total. Yet, when the results came in, it was clear that Crawford had dominated, holding a decisive nine-point lead with 88% of votes counted.

Musk’s Millions Couldn’t Tip the Scales

The Tesla billionaire, who has become increasingly vocal in conservative political circles, poured resources into Schimel’s campaign, framing the race as a fight for judicial integrity. However, Crawford countered by making Musk the villain in the story, warning voters against an out-of-state billionaire trying to buy influence in their courts. The strategy worked.

Schimel, a former Republican attorney general, conceded gracefully, phoning Crawford to acknowledge her victory before addressing his disappointed supporters. But his loss signals a deeper issue for conservatives—Wisconsin remains a battleground where voters are resisting Trump-aligned candidates, even with massive financial backing.

Wisconsin Court Now a Crucial Battleground

The Wisconsin Supreme Court holds immense power, with upcoming rulings expected to shape voting rights, abortion laws, and union protections. With Crawford’s win maintaining the liberal majority, progressive policies are likely to gain traction, frustrating Trump’s efforts to solidify Republican control ahead of the 2026 midterms.

Meanwhile, despite this setback, Republicans did celebrate victories in two Florida special elections, securing additional seats in the US House. But the Wisconsin loss overshadows those wins, proving that even with unprecedented spending, conservative forces couldn’t turn the tide in a crucial judicial race.

Crawford’s win is a major warning sign for Trump’s movement: money alone won’t buy the courts.