Democrats just won the first big election since President Donald Trump returned to the White House, while running well ahead of their 2024 numbers in two special congressional races – early signs that liberals’ white-hot fury at the president may help their chances in next year’s midterm elections.
Liberal Judge Susan Crawford won a race for the Wisconsin Supreme Court Tuesday night, leading conservative Judge Brad Schimel by roughly ten points with most of the vote counted in a state Mr. Trump won just a few months ago.
The race was technically nonpartisan, but it quickly became a nationalized proxy fight between Democrats and President Trump, as well as close adviser and billionaire Elon Musk, who helped make the contest the most expensive judicial race in U.S. history.
Why We Wrote This
In a closely watched Wisconsin court race, Democratic intensity won out over President Donald Trump’s endorsement and Elon Musk’s millions. And while Republicans held on in two Florida special elections, Democrats made gains there, too. It was the first bright spot for Democrats in months.
It was the first big test of whether Mr. Trump’s vocal support and Mr. Musk’s virtually bottomless pockets could counter Democrats’ grassroots intensity. And while it’s just one contest, and there’s still a year and half to go until the midterms, it was a lopsided win in a hotly contested and closely watched race.
The president had endorsed Mr. Schimel, a Republican former state attorney general, and his support was featured heavily in ads aimed at getting Republicans to turn out. A huge chunk of the money for those ads came from Mr. Musk, whose groups spent more than $20 million on the contest – by far the most of any outside donor. Mr. Musk himself campaigned in the state this past weekend, donning a cheesehead hat to hand out $1 million checks to two conservative attendees.
Conservative Judge Brad Schimel (center) warms up with his band “4 on the Floor” early at his election night party April 1, 2025, in Pewaukee, Wisconsin.
Roughly $100 million was spent on the contest in all, a total more in line with Wisconsin’s Senate or gubernatorial races than past judicial elections.
“Today, Wisconsinites fended off an unprecedented attack on our democracy,” Judge Crawford said in her victory speech. “Our courts are not for sale.”
