Breaking: Susan Crawford Defeats Brad Schimel in High-Stakes Wisconsin Supreme Court Race

In a stunning rebuke to outside influence and big-money politics, Susan Crawford has defeated Brad Schimel in the hotly contested race for the Wisconsin Supreme Court. The election, which drew national attention for its implications on abortion rights, voting laws, and corporate influence, took an even more dramatic turn when billionaire Elon Musk poured a staggering $20 million into support for Schmiel—only to come up empty-handed.

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Crawford, a circuit court judge known for her independence and sharp legal mind, ran on a platform emphasizing judicial integrity, civil liberties, and the need to keep the courts free from partisan and financial capture. Her victory represents a major win for progressives and court reform advocates in a state where judicial races have increasingly become battlegrounds for national political agendas.

Brad schimel, a conservative backed by powerful business interests and anti-abortion groups, had been considered an underdog in the race even with Musk and Trump’s support. Musk’s last-minute investment in political action committees supporting Schmiel flooded the airwaves with attack ads and digital outreach, but appears to have backfired.

Critics of Musk’s involvement argued that his funding represented an unprecedented level of direct influence from a tech mogul in a state-level judicial race. His investment became a flashpoint late in the campaign, galvanizing turnout among Democrats and Independents wary of outside meddling.

With Crawford's win, the ideological balance of the court shifts, giving a stronger voice to justices more aligned with civil rights protections, environmental safeguards, and campaign finance transparency. Crawford will now serve on the Supreme Court for a period of 10 years and the Court’s ideological breakdown will remain firmly progressive for years moving forward.

Social media lit up with celebration as results came in, with many pointing to the result as a high-profile rejection of billionaire influence in democracy.

Crawford's victory is being hailed as a watershed moment for elections in 2025—not just in Wisconsin, but across the country.