The Wisconsin Supreme Court election has taken a significant turn as Dane County Judge Susan Crawford has been declared the winner by the Associated Press. Her victory is attributed to her substantial leads in the state's population centers and Democratic strongholds, which ultimately outweighed the support garnered by Waukesha County Judge Brad Schimel in more traditionally Republican areas. With this win, Crawford ensures that liberal-leaning justices maintain their current 4-3 majority on the court.
The Associated Press announced Crawford's victory at 10:16 p.m. EDT on Tuesday, following the counting of approximately two-thirds of the estimated total votes. The AP only calls a race when it can confidently determine that a trailing candidate, in this case, Schimel, cannot close the gap and surpass the vote leader. Their analysis indicated that the remaining votes, especially from areas like Milwaukee, were expected to favor Crawford, effectively sealing Schimel's chances of a comeback.
Although judicial seats in Wisconsin are officially nonpartisan, Crawford received significant backing from both the state and national Democratic establishment. On the other hand, Schimel was the preferred candidate for Republicans, securing an endorsement from former President Donald Trump and financial support from notable figures, including Elon Musk, a top adviser to Trump.
Here’s a brief overview of the key details surrounding the race:
Candidates: Susan Crawford vs. Brad Schimel Poll Closing Time: 9 p.m. EDTThe election is a crucial barometer of Wisconsin's political climate, especially following the previous victory of liberal-leaning justices, who regained a 4-3 majority on the Wisconsin Supreme Court for the first time in 15 years. The retirement of a liberal justice last April created an opening for conservatives to potentially reclaim the majority, particularly ahead of high-profile cases concerning abortion, labor unions, congressional district boundaries, and voting rights.
This election has drawn nationwide attention, with campaign spending nearing $100 million, much of which can be attributed to Musk and his associated political action committees. In the 2023 Supreme Court race, for reference, Democrat-backed Janet Protasiewicz defeated Republican-backed former Justice Dan Kelly by an 11-percentage-point margin, highlighting the competitive nature of these judicial elections.
The AP's decision to declare Crawford the winner was based on her performance, which exceeded that of Democrat Joe Biden during the 2020 elections against then-President Trump. Notably, Crawford outperformed Biden in major counties such as Dane and Milwaukee. In contrast, Schimel struggled to match Trump’s previous success in these areas, falling short even in the traditionally Republican-leaning counties known as the WOW counties—Washington, Ozaukee, and Waukesha.
While Schimel initially led in counties like Washington and Ozaukee, he ultimately could not achieve the voter turnout benchmarks established by Trump in his presidential campaigns. Crawford dominated in Democratic-friendly regions, capturing more than three-quarters of the vote in these areas, further solidifying her lead over Schimel.
Another significant result was seen in Brown County, home to Green Bay, which usually leans Republican in statewide elections. Despite an initial lead for Schimel, Crawford managed to surpass him by over three percentage points as votes were fully counted, illustrating her widening support across the state.
Crawford's victory is a pivotal moment for the Wisconsin Supreme Court, reflecting the ongoing shifts in the state's political landscape. As the court prepares for important rulings on contentious issues, the implications of this election will resonate throughout Wisconsin and beyond.
