Wisconsin Supreme Court Election: A Crucial Decision for the State’s Future
On the upcoming Tuesday, voters in Wisconsin will cast their ballots in a pivotal election that could determine whether conservatives or liberals gain control of the state’s Supreme Court. The implications of this election are profound, as the court’s direction could significantly influence critical issues such as abortion rights and congressional district mapping.
This election, however, has evolved into more than just a contest for a single judicial seat; it has become a referendum on the early months of President Trump’s second term. A staggering influx of funds from outside the state has propelled this contest to become the most expensive judicial race in American history. Approximately $20 million has been funneled into the campaign to support the conservative candidate, Brad Schimel, a judge who recently received President Trump’s endorsement.
In contrast, the liberal candidate, Susan Crawford, also a judge, has criticized Musk’s financial influence, arguing that it serves to install a proxy on the highest court in the state. The stakes are high, as the outcome of this election will determine the balance of power in the seven-member court, currently held by liberals with a 4-to-3 majority.
This election also serves as a litmus test for the sentiments of voters in one of the nation’s most tightly contested battleground states. With a history of close elections, Wisconsin has seen President Trump win the state by less than a percentage point in the last election, only to narrowly lose it in 2020. Voter opinion is now being shaped by his administration’s sharp cuts to the federal workforce, stringent immigration policies, and the ongoing campaign against diversity initiatives in government and higher education.
As Michael Orwig, a 40-year-old federal employee and supporter of Schimel, puts it: “The pendulum swings back and forth in U.S. elections, and I believe this election will be a significant indicator of whether that pendulum is poised to swing back the other way in response to Trump’s actions in office. This is going to be the first litmus test.”
