A high-stakes election in Wisconsin is drawing national attention, with two of the world’s most powerful political donors—Elon Musk and George Soros—pitting their financial clout against each other.
This race, set for Tuesday, has become the most expensive judicial race in U.S. history, with total spending surpassing $73 million, according to the Brennan Center for Justice and predictions suggest it could reach $100 million by Election Day.
Musk, a vocal supporter of conservative causes, is channeling millions into the race to support Republican candidate Brad Schimel, a former state attorney general. Musk’s super PACs—America PAC and Building America’s Future—have contributed a combined $20 million to Schimel’s campaign, according to the Daily Mail.
Musk himself campaigned in Wisconsin on Sunday, solidifying his personal investment in the race.
Meanwhile, Soros, a longtime financier of liberal causes, has thrown his weight behind Democrat candidate Susan Crawford. Soros has donated $1 million to the Wisconsin Democratic Party to back Crawford.
Additionally, Crawford’s campaign has attracted funding from unions, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker and wealthy figures like Gloria Page, the mother of Google co-founder Larry Page.
The race is a fierce contest between two contrasting political ideologies, as liberals currently control the court with a 4-3 majority.
A win for Schimel, who has been endorsed by President Donald Trump and campaigned for by Donald Trump Jr., would shift the balance and ensure conservative influence over the state’s judiciary for years to come, the outlet notes.
In response, Crawford and her supporters have tried to use Musk’s influence to their advantage, with Crawford referring to the race as “The People v. Musk” and branding Schimel as “Elon Schimel” to connect him to the billionaire’s controversial wealth and power. This strategy comes as part of a broader campaign to frame the election as a battle against big-money donors and corporate influence.
The Wisconsin Supreme Court seat holds significant implications. The state’s court will ultimately decide key issues, such as the redrawing of congressional districts and voting rules for the 2028 presidential election, with Wisconsin poised to be a crucial battleground state.
Moreover, the court will determine the future of abortion laws in the state, which has been a topic of intense debate after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022.
In the wake of that decision, Wisconsin clinics stopped offering abortions, fearing a state law banning them, though procedures resumed in 2023 after a lower court ruled the law did not apply.
This race has been deemed an early litmus test for the political mood of the country, offering a glimpse into voter sentiments about Trump’s presidency and conservative values, according to the Daily Mail. Both parties are pouring resources into Wisconsin, recognizing the high stakes of this judicial seat.
The outcome will shape the direction of the state for at least the next decade, as the elected judge will serve a 10-year term beginning in August.
In addition to the judicial matters at stake, Musk’s electric car company, Tesla, has a lawsuit pending in Wisconsin challenging a state law that prevents manufacturers from operating their own car dealerships. This case could eventually make its way to the state Supreme Court, further solidifying the significance of this race for both Musk and conservative interests.
With both billionaires’ fortunes invested in the outcome, the Wisconsin Supreme Court election is a defining moment for the state and the nation. Voters will decide not only the ideological direction of their courts but also the influence of corporate America on American politics.
