Madison, Wisconsin – Voters in Wisconsin are heading to the polls on April 1 to elect a new justice for the state’s Supreme Court in a contest that has set a record as the most expensive judicial race in U.S. history. Over $90 million has been poured into the race by candidates, state parties, and outside groups, with billionaire Elon Musk playing a pivotal role in boosting the conservative candidate, Brad Schimel.
Musk, a prominent ally of President Donald Trump, has donated more than $21 million through his political action committee and hosted rallies in support of Schimel. He has also offered financial incentives, such as $1 million checks to voters and payments to volunteers for recruiting others to cast their ballots. Democrats have criticized Musk’s involvement, citing Tesla’s pending lawsuit against Wisconsin over dealership restrictions as a possible personal motive for his interest in the election.
The race, which pits liberal candidate Susan Crawford against Schimel, will determine the balance of the court, currently holding a narrow 4-3 liberal majority. The outcome carries significant implications for voting rights, labor laws, and abortion access, as well as the shaping of congressional districts ahead of the 2026 midterms and 2028 presidential elections.
While Musk has touted the importance of the election, his actions have sparked legal challenges, including a lawsuit filed by Wisconsin’s Democratic Attorney General Josh Kaul, arguing that Musk’s financial activities violated anti-bribery laws. The state Supreme Court declined to intervene in the matter.
As Wisconsin remains a critical battleground state, the election not only highlights the heightened stakes of judicial contests but also showcases the influence of prominent political and business figures like Elon Musk in shaping the political landscape.