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Tuesday, Apr. 01, 2025

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Today's state Supreme Court election has big consequences for Wisconsin — and Elon Musk

By Charlie Sykes

Trailing $1 million checks, Elon Musk descended on Wisconsin on Sunday night as part of his final bid to buy Tuesday's state Supreme Court race and solidify his positions as MAGA's enforcer and kingmaker.

Despite his almost nonexistent relationship with the Badger State, Musk has put himself at the center of the campaign that will determine control of the state's high court — dumping in at least $20 million, according to The Associated Press, to elect a Trump-friendly candidate — making it the most expensive judicial campaign in American history. Despite warnings that it might be illegal, Musk handed out two checks for $1 million each to voters who had signed his petition against activist judges. (State courts had turned down efforts by the state's Democratic attorney general to block the handouts.)

For Wisconsin, the stakes are monumental: A win by conservative Brad Schimel over liberal Susan Crawford would flip control of the seven-member court, which now has a 4-3 liberal majority, with consequences for the fate of abortion rights, as well as redistricting.

But the vote is also important for Musk, who has effectively made the contest a referendum on himself and his DOGE crusade.

This is a preview of Charlie Sykes' latest article. Read the full column here.

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