In a bid to reshape Wisconsin’s highest court—and possibly the future of state politics—Elon Musk has parachuted into a judicial race with a $20-million checkbook and an agenda that goes well beyond supporting a conservative candidate. Brad Schimel, a former Republican attorney general and current circuit judge, is running for a crucial seat on the Wisconsin Supreme Court, one that could switch the court’s ideological balance back to the right. Musk's massive funding and vocal backing have turned this race into a high-stakes national proxy war, pitting billionaires on both ends of the spectrum against each other, and raising eyebrows about the role of money, corporate interests (hello, Tesla sales!), and ultra-wealthy influencers in America’s democratic institutions. As progressive judge Susan Crawford fights back with a wave of grassroots support and unexpected endorsements, the race has morphed into far more than a local contest—it’s a referendum on whether democracy can be bought.

Key Points:

• Elon Musk has donated more than $20 million to support conservative candidate Brad Schimel in the Wisconsin Supreme Court race.
• The contest may determine the court’s control, with major implications for abortion rights, labor laws, and voting access in the swing state.
• Musk claimed on X (formerly Twitter) that it is "very important to vote Republican...to prevent voting fraud," referencing absentee-ballot drop boxes—despite no evidence of fraud being tied to them.
• The race is on track to become the most expensive judicial election in U.S. history, possibly reaching $100 million.
• Schimel has a deeply partisan track record: he defended aggressive Republican gerrymandering and policies under Gov. Scott Walker, and once called himself Walker’s "bag man."
• His Democratic opponent, Susan Crawford, is supported by progressive groups and has received $2 million from George Soros-linked organizations.
• Musk’s financial support appears self-interested: Tesla recently sued Wisconsin to overturn a law barring direct-to-consumer auto sales. If the case reaches the state’s high court, a Musk-backed justice could influence the outcome.
• Wisconsin’s lax judicial recusal rules mean Schimel wouldn’t need to step aside from Musk-linked cases, even with Musk’s massive backing.
• Critics, including grassroots organizers and a retired Republican judge, argue Musk’s involvement is corrupting judicial independence. As one put it, “It’s all very alarming… if you don’t toe the line, they’re coming for you.”
• Musk has offered monetary incentives—including possible million-dollar prizes—for voters who sign petitions against "activist judges," raising ethical and legal concerns.
• The backlash prompted a campaign dubbed “People v. Musk,” aiming to counter billionaire influence in grassroots ways. As one Democratic organizer put it: “I’ve never seen this level of energy for a spring race before.”

Bottom line: This isn’t just a state court race—it’s a battleground for the soul of democracy, campaign finance ethics, and whether the richest among us can handpick the referees of power.
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