The Democratic-backed candidate for the Wisconsin Supreme Court won against a challenger supported by former President Donald Trump and billionaire Elon Musk on Tuesday, securing a liberal majority on the court for at least three more years. Susan Crawford, a Dane County judge known for her legal battles in favor of union rights, abortion access, and opposition to voter ID laws, defeated Republican-backed Brad Schimel in a highly contested race. The election set new spending records and was on track to have the highest voter turnout in Wisconsin Supreme Court history, reflecting broader national political tensions.

Schimel, a former state attorney general, received endorsements from Trump, Musk, and other prominent Republicans, while Crawford was backed by Democrats, including former President Barack Obama and billionaire donor George Soros. The race was the first major election since November and was widely seen as a test of public sentiment regarding Trump’s return to office and Musk’s influence through his Department of Government Efficiency, which has overseen widespread federal layoffs.

Musk traveled to Wisconsin just days before the election to campaign for Schimel, personally distributing $1 million checks to voters. Meanwhile, Crawford embraced support from Planned Parenthood and abortion rights groups, emphasizing Schimel’s opposition to abortion in her campaign ads. During a debate, she criticized Schimel’s ties to Musk and the Republican Party, sarcastically referring to him as “Elon Schimel.”

Schimel’s campaign attempted to cast Crawford as soft on crime and a Democratic puppet who, if elected, would push for redistricting to disadvantage Republicans and work to repeal GOP-backed laws that limited collective bargaining for public workers. Crawford’s victory ensures that the Wisconsin Supreme Court maintains its 4-3 liberal majority, which it has held since 2023. The next liberal justice is not up for election until 2028, meaning the court’s balance will remain unchanged for at least four more years. Upcoming court decisions are expected to focus on abortion rights, public sector unions, voting laws, and congressional district maps—issues of national significance. The courts composition could also influence rulings on future election challenges in Wisconsin, a key battleground state.

Musk and affiliated groups contributed more than $21 million to the race, while Donald Trump Jr. campaigned for Schimel, stressing the election’s importance for advancing the Republican agenda. Trump himself endorsed Schimel just 11 days before the vote. Despite the substantial financial backing from Musk and Republican groups, Schimel insisted he would remain independent if elected. Crawford’s campaign benefited from appearances by Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, the Democratic vice presidential nominee in the last election, along with financial support from Soros and Illinois Governor JB Pritzker.

The race shattered records as the most expensive judicial election in U.S. history, with spending nearing $99 million—almost double the previous $51 million record set by Wisconsin’s 2023 Supreme Court race. The intense focus on the election drove high early voting participation, with turnout exceeding that of the state’s Supreme Court election two years ago by more than 50%. Crawford will serve a 10-year term, replacing retiring liberal Justice Ann Walsh Bradley, who is stepping down after three decades on the bench.

Disclaimer: This image is taken from Reuters.