Judge Susan Crawford has emerged as the projected winner of the 2025 Wisconsin Supreme Court election, delivering a pointed message to billionaire Elon Musk: "Our courts are not for sale."
In a post-election address to her supporters, Crawford emphasized the significance of the victory, describing it as a decisive stand against what she called an "unprecedented attack on democracy." Her win over Musk-backed candidate Brad Schimel ensures the state Supreme Court maintains its 4-3 liberal majority—an outcome with far-reaching implications for abortion rights, voting regulations, and congressional redistricting.
The Wisconsin Supreme Court race was seen as an early test of political influence in the run-up to the 2028 presidential election. With the Biden administration and key Democratic figures rallying behind Crawford, the contest became a showdown between progressive judicial ideals and deep-pocketed conservative interests.
Musk and affiliated political groups poured an estimated $20 million into Schimel’s campaign, with a significant chunk—more than $7 million—spent on television ads alone. Former President Donald Trump also actively campaigned for Schimel, calling on his supporters to back the conservative candidate in what he framed as a fight for the future of American jurisprudence.
Despite these efforts, Wisconsin voters sided with Crawford, a Chippewa Falls native, who called her win “an incredible, life-altering experience.” Reflecting on the uphill battle she faced, she remarked, “As a little girl growing up in Chippewa Falls, I never imagined I’d be standing up to the world’s richest man—for justice—and winning.”
With Crawford securing a 10-year term on the bench starting in August 2025, Wisconsin’s highest court is expected to rule on critical cases shaping the state’s legal landscape. The liberal majority will play a key role in determining:
Abortion Access: The court could hear challenges related to Wisconsin’s restrictive abortion laws.
Voting Rights: Key decisions on election integrity, districting, and voter suppression laws could be influenced by Crawford’s presence.
Legislative Redistricting: The court may have the final say on how congressional districts are drawn, a crucial factor in future elections.
Unlike her opponent, whose campaign benefited from the financial muscle of conservative donors, Crawford’s bid was fueled by grassroots organizing and backing from the Democratic National Committee and Wisconsin’s Democratic Party. Her campaign raised over $17 million, a testament to the broad-based support she garnered from voters eager to preserve judicial independence.
Crawford’s victory signals a strong pushback against the growing influence of wealthy donors in judicial elections. With her seat secured, all eyes will be on the Wisconsin Supreme Court as it prepares to tackle some of the most contentious legal battles in the state’s history.
As Crawford put it, "Wisconsin stood up and said loudly: justice does not have a price."