2025 Wisconsin Supreme Court race; Susan Crawford defeats Brad Schimel

MILWAUKEE - The Democratic-backed candidate for Wisconsin Supreme Court defeated a challenger endorsed by President Donald Trump and billionaire Elon Musk on Tuesday, touting her victory as a win against powerful interests and cementing a liberal majority for at least three more years.

Susan Crawford wins

What we know:

Susan Crawford, a Dane County judge who led legal fights to protect union power and abortion rights and to oppose voter ID, stood on stage surrounded by the court's four current liberal justices and celebrated her win as a victory for democracy while also taking a dig at Musk.

What they're saying:

"Growing up in Chippewa Falls, I never could have imagined that I would be taking on the richest man in the world for justice in Wisconsin," Crawford said. "And we won."

"Today Wisconsinites fended off an unprecedented attack on our democracy, our fair elections and our Supreme Court," Crawford said in her victory speech. "And Wisconsin stood up and said loudly that justice does not have a price, our courts are not for sale."

Trump, Musk and other Republicans lined up behind Schimel, a former state attorney general. Democrats including former President Barack Obama and billionaire megadonor George Soros backed Crawford.

The first major election in the country since November was seen as a litmus test of how voters feel about Trump’s first months back in office and the role played by Musk, whose Department of Government Efficiency has torn through federal agencies and laid off thousands of workers. Musk traveled to Wisconsin on Sunday to make a pitch for Schimel and personally hand out to $1 million checks to voters.

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Crawford embraced the backing of Planned Parenthood and other abortion rights advocates, running ads that highlighted Schimel’s opposition to the procedure. She also attacked Schimel for his ties to Musk and Republicans, referring to Musk as "Elon Schimel" during a debate.

Schimel’s campaign tried to portray Crawford as weak on crime and a puppet of Democrats who, if elected, would push to redraw congressional district boundary lines to hurt Republicans and repeal a GOP-backed state law that took collective bargaining rights away from most public workers.

Crawford’s win keeps the court under a 4-3 liberal majority, as it has been since 2023. A liberal justice is not up for election again until April 2028.

Election results

Reaction

Democratic Party of Wisconsin Chair Ben Wikler

"Susan Crawford’s victory over Brad Schimel, Elon Musk, and Donald Trump is a resounding message from voters that Wisconsin believes in freedom, democracy, and the rule of law, that they have had enough of MAGA extremism, and that Wisconsin is not for sale. 

"Democracy is alive and roaring in the Badger State. Tonight, Wisconsinites turned out at record levels to deliver a resounding, well-earned Supreme Court victory for a candidate who represents our state’s highest ideals. Wisconsin Democrats enthusiastically congratulate Justice-elect Susan Crawford and look forward to a ten-year term of jurisprudence marked by integrity, impartiality, and common sense.

"This was a Susan-versus-Goliath struggle of Biblical proportions. Elon Musk made this race a referendum on himself. Schimel sought to make it a referendum on Donald Trump. Ultimately, voters chose between Schimel, Musk, and Trump on one side, and Susan Crawford, freedom, and democracy on the other. The voters’ verdict sends a resounding message: Wisconsin’s Supreme Court election demonstrates Musk and Trump have gone too far, and any politician allied with them could swiftly face the end of their political career.

"We’re deeply grateful to Justice-elect Crawford for her leadership, bringing Wisconsin values to  this fight for our freedoms and the rule of law. As a prosecutor, public servant, attorney in private practice, and circuit court judge, Justice-elect Crawford worked to keep our communities safe and uphold the law. As our next Supreme Court justice, Justice-elect Crawford will continue her lifetime of service to Wisconsin, protecting the basic rights and freedoms guaranteed to Wisconsinites under our constitution. 

"This victory would not have been possible without the thousands of volunteers, activists, and organizers who worked their hearts out, often amidst ice and snow, to support Justice-elect Crawford and defend our democracy. To all those who went door to door, made phone calls, texted friends and family, chipped in, or put out a yard sign: thank you.

"Tonight, Democrats got up off the mat and fought back. The world’s richest man tried to buy Wisconsin’s democracy in order to corrupt Wisconsin’s judiciary, but Wisconsinites demonstrated that our state is not for sale. In a moment of national darkness, Wisconsin voters lit a candle. Let the lesson of Wisconsin’s election ring out across the country: hope is not lost, democracy can yet survive, and the voice of the American people will not be silenced." 

Republican Party of Wisconsin Chairman Brian Schimming

"This election was the most expensive Supreme Court race in history. Coming off a successful November, we knew the April elections would be challenging. I want to thank Brad Schimel and Brittany Kinser, who stepped forward to represent our Conservative values on the ballot this spring. Conservatives saw victories across the state. Wisconsin ensured its elections would remain secure by enshrining Voter ID in the Constitution and won many crucial local races. In 2026, we have the opportunity to remain united and make a stand against Tony Evers' far-left agenda and defend President Trump's America First policies."

DNC Chair Ken Martin

"Tonight, the people of Wisconsin squarely rejected the influence of Elon Musk, Donald Trump, and billionaire special interests. And their message? Stay out of our elections and stay away from our courts - Wisconsin is not for sale. The DNC congratulates Justice-elect Susan Crawford on her decisive victory in tonight’s Wisconsin Supreme Court election. This is why we organize everywhere – to protect people’s fundamental rights and freedoms, to stop the richest men in the world from buying the government, and to win elections that ultimately improve the lives of Americans. Democrats are overperforming, winning races, and building momentum. We’re working hard to continue the trend in the Virginia, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey elections this year and then – with the people on our side – to take back the House in 2026."

Wisconsin AFL-CIO President Stephanie Bloomingdale

"Congratulations to Judge Susan Crawford for her victory and congratulations to the entire Wisconsin labor movement that proudly stood by her every step of the way.

Working people came together and sent a clear message:  our vote can’t be bought. Wisconsinites were not swayed by Elon Musk and big-dollar buffoonery.

In the face of nationwide attacks on our unions, our jobs, and the working class, Wisconsin workers are organizing. We are proud to stand as a united front pushing back against those who seek unprecedented and unconstitutional control of our democratic institutions. Union activists across the state mobilized and rallied working people to engage in our democratic process and say no to those seeking to purchase control of our State Supreme Court. Judge Susan Crawford’s commitment to sound judicial review and adherence to the Constitution makes her victory a win for all Wisconsinites. We look forward to the role she will play to ensure that our state's highest court cannot be bought, but instead remains the guardian of fairness under the law for all."

ACLU of Wisconsin Executive Director Dr. Melinda Brennan

"While we saw an outpouring of money thrown into this race by billionaires, the people with the real power in this election were Wisconsin voters. We are so proud that Wisconsin voters realized the high stakes of the election and turned out, sending a loud and clear message: Wisconsinites' votes are not for sale. Wisconsin voters made their voices heard in this crucial Supreme Court election that will shape the future of Wisconsin, particularly surrounding reproductive rights.

"During this election cycle, we, along with the national ACLU and ACLU Voter Education Fund, ensured that Wisconsinites knew the facts about the candidates, as well as the critical role the court plays in shaping our civil rights and civil liberties. We reached over 600,000 voters by knocking on doors, making phone calls, educating Wisconsinites, and launching a campaign to make sure Wisconsinites were prepared to vote for their values this election. 

"Judging by the outcome of this election, it is clear that access to abortion, protecting Wisconsin’s workers, and making sure Wisconsinites can fairly cast their ballot were all a priority for Wisconsinites." 

Evergreen Action Midwest Senior Policy and Advocacy Manager Courtney Bourgoin

"Judge Susan Crawford’s victory marks another decisive win for voters directly rejecting the power of oligarchs and corporate polluters in influencing politics. By defeating Elon Musk-backed Judge Brad Schimel, Wisconsin voters sent a clear message that they will not allow their elections to be manipulated by billionaires seeking to consolidate power and influence policy in their favor. 

"Crawford’s election is a vital step in preserving real democracy and ensuring the voice of the people remains central. Tonight, Wisconsinites put the needs of communities before the interests of oligarchs. This victory was made possible by the tireless efforts of organizers who fought to protect the integrity of Wisconsin’s democracy."

Everytown for Gun Safety Action Fund and its grassroots network, Moms Demand Action

"This result should send a crystal clear message to every elected official in the country that voters are rejecting the Donald Trump and Elon Musk agenda and the candidates Musk is trying to buy," said John Feinblatt, president of Everytown for Gun Safety. "Everytown was proud to support Susan Crawford’s campaign and make no mistake about it: her election is a victory for safety and security." 

"Electing judges like Susan Crawford to the Wisconsin Supreme Court is a critical step toward keeping our communities safe," said Angela Ferrell-Zabala, executive director of Moms Demand Action. "Today’s victory is a win for our rights, our freedoms and our democracy — because our elections should be decided by the people, not bought by extremists like Elon Musk pushing their own agendas."

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