In a closely watched judicial race that shattered campaign spending records, Wisconsin voters cast their ballots in a contentious Supreme Court election.
According to Daily Wire, liberal candidate Susan Crawford secured victory in Wisconsin's Supreme Court race with 55% of the vote, maintaining the court's liberal majority amid unprecedented campaign spending exceeding $90 million.
The election results showed Crawford garnering 1,286,748 votes compared to conservative candidate Brad Schimel's 1,050,816 votes, with strong support coming from Democratic strongholds in Milwaukee and Dane counties. While Crawford's victory represents a significant win for Democrats, Wisconsin voters simultaneously approved a constitutional amendment requiring voter identification at polling places.
The race attracted substantial financial backing from prominent political figures and organizations across the ideological spectrum. President Donald Trump and business magnate Elon Musk threw their support behind Schimel's campaign. Crawford's campaign received significant backing from progressive donors, including billionaire George Soros and Illinois Democratic Governor JB Pritzker.
The unprecedented $90 million spending in this judicial race highlights the growing politicization of state supreme court elections. Both conservative and liberal donors recognized the race's potential impact on crucial policy issues facing Wisconsin.
Crawford's background as a former Planned Parenthood attorney and her opposition to voter ID laws drew criticism from Republicans. The Wisconsin Republican Party labeled her stance as extreme, emphasizing her previous legal challenges to state voting requirements.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries expressed the following perspective on Wisconsin's congressional redistricting:
There are gerrymandered congressional lines right now in Wisconsin. As soon as possible, we need to be able to revisit that and have fair lines. The only way for that to be even a significant possibility is if you have an enlightened Supreme Court.
Crawford's victory holds particular significance for congressional redistricting efforts. With liberals maintaining their 4-3 majority on the court, Democrats anticipate challenging Wisconsin's current congressional maps. The potential for revised district boundaries could affect the balance of power in the U.S. House of Representatives for the 2026 elections.
Pro-life organizations voiced disappointment with the election outcome. The Women Speak Out PAC, affiliated with Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America, issued a stark warning:
Tonight's results are disappointing and a blow for human rights and the rule of law. We mourn the lives that will be lost and the women and girls who will be harmed under a Wisconsin Supreme Court with an activist liberal majority. Republican voters should heed this race as a warning on becoming complacent following the wins last November.
The court's ideological composition is expected to influence various contentious issues beyond redistricting. Legal experts anticipate significant rulings on abortion rights, voting regulations, and labor law reforms under the liberal majority's continued leadership.
Conservative advocacy groups worry about potential changes to existing state policies. The maintenance of the liberal majority suggests possible shifts in judicial interpretations of state laws and constitutional provisions.
Susan Crawford's victory in Wisconsin's Supreme Court race represents a crucial win for Democrats in maintaining the court's liberal majority. The election, marked by unprecedented campaign spending and high voter turnout, highlighted the growing importance of state judicial races in shaping policy outcomes.
The implications of Crawford's win extend beyond the courtroom, potentially affecting congressional redistricting efforts and various social policies. With the liberal majority secure on the state's highest court, Wisconsin appears poised for significant legal battles over redistricting, voting rights, and social issues in the coming years.
