MADISON, Wis. (Diya TV) — Judge Susan Crawford has been voted into the Wisconsin Supreme Court, preserving a liberal majority on the court at 4-3. Crawford won against conservative rival Brad Schimel despite considerable backing for Schimel by prominent names like President Donald Trump and billionaire Elon Musk. This election, which was the most costly judicial election in American history, with more than $90 million being spent, was seen as an early Trump referendum.
Crawford’s campaign centered on resistance to billionaire out-of-state influence, appealing to voters and padding her lead over Schimel by nine points. Her win will carry significant weight for future cases regarding abortion rights, voting regulations, and union legislation since the Wisconsin Supreme Court has a profound impact on the state’s juridical landscape.
The election was marked by record-breaking financial donations, with Musk’s America PAC spending more than $12 million to support Schimel. Despite those efforts, Crawford’s victory highlights possible boundaries to Musk’s political power.
National Democrats have celebrated Crawford’s victory as a sign of progress toward reclaiming the House of Representatives in 2026. Meanwhile, President Trump’s response was limited to celebrating a separate voter identification measure, indicating a strategic focus on other political fronts.
Crawford’s victory guarantees the liberal majority on Wisconsin’s Supreme Court is solidified through at least April 2028, serving as a valuable platform for Democrats in the state government. This result is expected to affect legislative maps and absentee ballot regulations, potentially affecting the 2026 governor’s race and encouraging more centrist strategies by Republicans in Wisconsin.
As the state gears up for deep legal battles over abortion rights and labor laws, Crawford’s arrival on the bench is likely to be instrumental in determining Wisconsin’s political and legal future.
