Susan Crawford Defeats Conservative Opponent, Giving Democrats a Boost in Wisconsin Supreme Court race despite Musk’s millions
In a significant victory for liberals and a setback for billionaire Elon Musk’s political spending, Susan Crawford, the liberal candidate for a pivotal seat on the Wisconsin Supreme Court, has won the election despite Musk spending an estimated $25 million to support her conservative opponent.
Who Is Judge Susan Crawford?
Judge Susan Crawford is a veteran legal expert with a background in constitutional law and civil rights advocacy. Before her election to the Wisconsin Supreme Court, she served as a circuit court judge in Dane County, where she built a reputation for fairness and judicial independence. Crawford’s campaign emphasized the protection of voting rights, reproductive freedom, and the need to keep politics out of the judiciary.
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Democrats See Momentum in Victory
For Democrats, Crawford’s victory signals a surge in political momentum as they gear up for the 2024 elections. Her win secures a liberal majority on the Wisconsin Supreme Court, which could play a crucial role in upcoming cases related to redistricting, election laws, and abortion rights. The result is particularly significant given the intense outside spending aimed at swaying the outcome.
Musk’s Spending Backfires
Through massive financial contributions to the conservative campaign, Elon Musk’s foray into Wisconsin politics appears to have mobilized more Democrats than Republicans. While his political influence has grown in recent years, this election suggests that his involvement may have had the opposite of its intended effect, energizing liberal voters rather than persuading swing voters.
‘U.S. Courts Are Not for Sale’
Crawford’s supporters have framed her victory as a triumph for judicial integrity over billionaire influence. “This election reaffirms that U.S. courts are not for sale,” said one Democratic strategist. “No amount of money should dictate who sits on our highest courts.”
The Wisconsin Supreme Court race was one of the most expensive judicial elections in U.S. history, but despite the massive financial backing on the conservative side, voters ultimately sided with Crawford’s message of judicial independence.
Her victory reshapes the balance of power in Wisconsin’s judicial system and sends a national message about the limits of money in politics—at least for now.
