Wisconsin voters delivered a significant blow to US President Donald Trump and billionaire Elon Musk by electing liberal Judge Susan Crawford to the state’s Supreme Court, preserving its 4-3 progressive majority, according to Reuters.
The historic race, which saw over $90 million spent, served as an early litmus test for Trump’s influence ahead of the 2026 midterms. Crawford, a county judge, secured a 9-point victory over conservative rival Brad Schimel, a former state attorney general, with a margin of roughly 191,000 votes.
The result marked a strategic win for Democrats, with Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin hailing it as a rejection of “billionaire special interests.”
The court’s liberal majority is poised to rule on pivotal issues ahead of the 2028 presidential race, including abortion access and GOP-backed laws curbing union powers. Musk framed the election as critical to “the future of Western civilisation,” fearing rulings on redistricting could tilt the US House balance.
His tactics, including 1 million voter cheques and 20 recruitment payments, failed to sway the outcome, despite heavy spending.
In concurrent special elections, Florida Republicans Randy Fine and Jimmy Patronis secured two House seats vacated by Trump appointees, expanding the GOP majority to 220-213. While expected, the wins underscored Trump’s enduring clout in the state. Fine and Patronis triumphed in districts previously won by margins exceeding 30 points, though Democrats narrowed gaps slightly.
As Wisconsin remains a key 2028 battleground–Trump carried it by under 1% in 2024–Crawford’s victory signals challenges for conservatives in curbing abortion rights or advancing Musk and Trump’s agendas.
The outcome also highlights the growing role of megadonors, with Crawford backed by figures like George Soros and Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, setting the stage for intensified spending in future judicial battles.
