In a surprising turn of events, Elon Musk, the tech billionaire and CEO of Tesla, has positioned himself at the forefront of a significant state Supreme Court race in Wisconsin. As the election approaches, Democrats are strategizing to leverage Musk's involvement to their advantage. His increasing participation in the contest has seen him invest millions from his personal wealth to support the conservative candidate, Brad Schimel.
On a recent visit to Wisconsin, Musk took a hands-on approach by engaging directly with voters. He hosted a town hall in Green Bay, where he distributed two $1 million checks to attendees, urging them to mobilize within the next 48 hours. "Everybody’s got to mobilize everywhere like crazy for the next 48 hours," Musk stated, emphasizing the significance of the election for the future of civilization. Donning a classic cheesehead, he added a lighthearted touch to the event, tossing it into the crowd as he rallied support.
The liberal candidate, Susan Crawford, along with her Democratic allies, has seized the opportunity to frame the race as a referendum on Musk himself. They believe that his controversial spending and political activities may disillusion voters. This election is poised to serve as an early indicator of public sentiment during President Donald Trump's second term, a period where Musk and his ventures have played a pivotal role.
The contest between Crawford, a Dane County Circuit Court judge, and Schimel, a former state attorney general, has become a financial battleground. It is now recognized as the most expensive judicial contest in U.S. history, with Musk and affiliated groups pouring over $20 million into the race. Musk's super PAC, America PAC, has reported over $12 million in expenditures on messaging and field operations, while Musk personally contributed $3 million to the Wisconsin Republican Party.
Musk's PAC has adopted contentious get-out-the-vote strategies, reminiscent of tactics used in the 2024 election. This includes launching a petition against "activist judges" and offering financial incentives for signers. As Musk prepared for his town hall, Wisconsin's Democratic Attorney General Josh Kaul attempted to halt Musk’s cash giveaways through legal intervention, but the state Supreme Court dismissed his request just before the event commenced.
During the town hall, Musk awarded $1 million checks to two petition signers, Nicholas Jacobs and Ekaterina Diestler, while also introducing a new "block captain program" to incentivize voter turnout. Musk's remarks suggested a sense of urgency: "We’ve got to pull a rabbit out of the hat, next level," he expressed, alluding to the challenges posed by betting odds favoring Crawford.
In response to Musk's influence, Schimel has distanced himself from Musk’s political maneuvers, asserting that his campaign operates independently. However, he has collaborated with Musk in discussions on social media platforms.
The race has attracted scrutiny over the influence of big money in politics. Voters have expressed mixed feelings about Musk's involvement. Some, like Marvin Whitson, a Trump supporter, believe that outside forces should refrain from interfering in local elections. Others, like independent voter Raymond Huntoon, are worried that Musk’s financial contributions could lead to undue influence on judicial impartiality.
As Wisconsin approaches the election, discussions surrounding the ideological balance of the state Supreme Court are intensifying. This contest will not only affect local governance but also has implications for national politics, particularly regarding congressional redistricting and judicial appointments. Musk has underscored the significance of this election, stating, "What’s happening on Tuesday is a vote for which party controls the US House of Representatives," highlighting the broader impact of the election on the trajectory of American governance.
As the race unfolds, it becomes increasingly evident that the Wisconsin Supreme Court election will serve as a critical barometer for voter sentiment, reflecting the dynamics of political influence and financial power in contemporary American politics.
