Susan Crawford Wins Wisconsin Supreme Court Seat, Defying Elon Musk’s Millions | EUROtoday

Susan Crawford, a liberal working with the backing of the Wisconsin Democratic Party, gained a seat on the state’s Supreme Court on Tuesday evening, warding off thousands and thousands of {dollars} in spending from right-wing billionaire Elon Musk.

Crawford, a decide in Dane County, targeted her marketing campaign on defending abortion rights and portraying her opponent, former state Attorney General Brad Schimel, as a corrupt politician who would do the bidding of Musk and different massive donors.

Crawford led Schimel by roughly 11 share factors, 55% to 44%, with roughly two-thirds of the vote in.

The race was the costliest state courtroom election in American historical past, drawing greater than $67 million in tv spending and practically $100 million in general spending. Turnout was sky-high within the race, nearing the degrees of the 2022 midterm elections.

The Wisconsin race, an off-year election held at an odd time, is the kind of race the modern-day Democratic coalition and its extremely engaged voters thrive in, and Crawford was lengthy thought of a slight favourite within the race.

But Musk spent at the least $8 million of his personal cash on the race, portraying it as a option to advance President Donald Trump’s agenda. Much of that money went to convincing low-propensity GOP voters to end up, a replication of Musk’s technique throughout the 2024 presidential election.

Crawford’s victory means liberals will retain a 4-3 benefit on the Wisconsin Supreme Court, which ought to give them an edge each to guard abortion rights and doubtlessly to strike down the state’s gerrymandered congressional map.

Striking down the map might create two extra Democratic-leaning or swing seats, which might play a significant function in serving to Democrats acquire House seats within the 2026 midterms. The social gathering solely must flip three seats to achieve management of Congress’ decrease chamber.