Crawford Defeats Musk-Backed Rival to Preserve Liberal Majority on Wisconsin Supreme Court

The outcome continues liberal momentum in state judicial elections despite Trump’s popular vote victory in 2024.

Dane County Circuit Court Judge Susan Crawford (C) reacts with supporters after her victory in the race for Wisconsin Supreme Court justice during an election night event in Madison, Wis., on April 1, 2025. Scott Olson/Getty Images

GREEN BAY, Wis.—Judge Susan Crawford, a candidate backed by in-state Democrats and supported by millions in out-of-state donations, has won the most expensive Supreme Court seat in state history.

Crawford handily defeated Brad Schimel, a former Republican attorney general who had President Donald Trump’s endorsement, though her straw opponent had been tech entrepreneur Elon Musk.