Dane County Circuit Judge Susan Crawford, who is aligned with the Democratic Party, has won the Wisconsin Supreme Court election, defeating Trump-backed Judge Brad Schimel. The Associated Press announced Crawford’s victory shortly after polls closed on Tuesday night, with her leading Schimel by a significant margin of 55.9% to 44.1%. This win preserves the court’s 4-3 liberal majority.
The election was called at 10:16 p.m. ET, with nearly 1.6 million votes counted at that time. Crawford’s victory is expected to influence important issues such as abortion rights, election integrity, and union matters. Since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022, Wisconsin’s strict 1849 abortion law has been a focal point, and it is expected to be reviewed by the state Supreme Court soon.
Supporters of Crawford framed the election as a chance to redraw legislative maps, which could potentially cost Republicans two U.S. House seats. This aspect of the race drew significant attention, with many Republicans warning that a Democratic victory could hinder former President Trump’s agenda.
The election became the most expensive judicial race in U.S. history, with spending expected to reach $100 million. By Monday, over $90 million had already been spent, nearly doubling the previous record for a judicial election. Both sides were heavily invested, demonstrating the high stakes involved. Wisconsin justices serve ten-year terms, making this election crucial for shaping the court’s future.
Crawford received substantial financial backing from prominent left-wing donors, including George Soros and J.B. Pritzker, raising over $26 million. In contrast, Schimel raised $14 million, with a significant portion of Crawford’s funding coming from outside Wisconsin. A report indicated that 77% of Crawford’s donors were from outside the state, while only 15% of Schimel’s came from out of state.
This election follows a significant shift in the Wisconsin Supreme Court’s balance, which occurred in 2023 when liberal Janet Protasiewicz defeated conservative Dan Kelly. The court’s composition was again at stake with the retirement of liberal Justice Ann Walsh Bradley.
In addition to the Supreme Court race, voters also decided on local elections, including the superintendent of public instruction and various school board and city council positions. A statewide referendum on making Wisconsin’s voter ID law permanent was included on all ballots and is projected to pass.