Wisconsin Supreme Court Race Heats Up: Trump Endorses Schimel as National Implications Loom
The Wisconsin Supreme Court race is rapidly evolving from a traditionally bipartisan contest into a high-stakes battleground attracting significant financial support and national attention. Former President Donald Trump has thrown his weight behind conservative candidate Brad Schimel, the former Wisconsin Attorney General and current Waukesha County judge. This endorsement underscores the growing recognition of the race’s potential impact on key issues, including redistricting, union influence, and transgender rights, all of which extend far beyond the state’s borders.
Trump’s support for Schimel comes amid Republican warnings that Schimel’s opponent, Dane County Judge Susan Crawford, a liberal considered the Democrats’ preferred candidate, could potentially support efforts to redraw U.S. House districts in a manner unfavorable to Republicans. The former president took to his social media platform, TRUTH Social, to express his strong disapproval of Crawford, characterizing her as a "Radical Left Democrat" with policies that he believes would harm the state and the country.
In his post, Trump accused Crawford of being "insistent on bringing hardened CRIMINALS, that we removed to far away places, back into our Country," a claim that echoes his previous rhetoric on immigration and criminal justice. He also criticized her stance on transgender issues, alleging that she supports "allowing men into women’s sports," a contentious issue that has become a focal point in conservative circles.
Trump urged voters to support Schimel, describing him as a "strong, Common Sense Republican" who would uphold the rule of law and protect the state’s values. He emphasized the importance of the race, stating that it "could have much to do with the future of our Country." He had previously accused Crawford of giving child molesters, rapists, women beaters, and domestic abusers light sentences.
The Wisconsin Supreme Court election, scheduled for April 1, has already seen significant early voting turnout. Trump has encouraged his supporters to vote early, emphasizing the need to "Uphold the Rule of Law, Protect our Incredible Police, Secure our Beloved Constitution, Safeguard our Inalienable Rights, and PRESERVE LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL."
The race has also become a magnet for mega-donor dollars, with both Democrats and Republicans accusing each other of being influenced by billionaires. George Soros, a prominent liberal financier, reportedly poured $1 million into Wisconsin Democrats’ coffers to benefit Crawford’s campaign. On the other side, tech entrepreneur Elon Musk, through the Trump administration’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), has funded groups that have collectively spent over $10 million to support Schimel.
The influx of big money into the race highlights the growing recognition of its potential national implications. Beyond redistricting, the outcome could impact union influence and transgender rights, both of which are major policy issues with national ramifications.
Additional mega-donors have also entered the fray. Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker contributed $500,000 to Wisconsin Democrats, while Lynde Uihlein, Reid Hoffman, and the mother of a Google co-founder have also made substantial contributions. On the Republican side, Joe Ricketts, co-owner of the Chicago Cubs, and Liz Uihlein have emerged as top donors.
Donald Trump Jr. recently held an event for Schimel, further underscoring the high level of Republican support for his candidacy. Republicans have sought to portray Crawford as "dangerously liberal," pointing to her support from Soros, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, and activist groups that support gender-transition surgeries for minors and allowing biological men to compete in women’s sports.
A source familiar with the race warned that Crawford’s candidacy is part of a broader "radical" shift in Wisconsin, pointing to the contentious election of liberal Justice Janet Protasiewicz in 2023 and Gov. Tony Evers’ controversial language changes in the state budget.
Republicans have also accused Crawford of signaling a willingness to "legislate from the bench," citing her past involvement in challenging the state’s voter ID law and her appearance at an event hosted by a liberal donor group that aims to unseat Republican Reps. Bryan Steil and Derrick Van Orden.
Crawford has also been targeted for allegedly signalling a willingness to redraw congressional districts in a way that would disadvantage Republicans. A New York Times report cited donors who hoped that Crawford’s win would lead to the ouster of Steil and Van Orden, a claim seized upon by Wisconsin Republicans.
The Wisconsin Supreme Court race has become a highly charged and partisan affair with significant implications for the state and the nation. The outcome will likely have a major impact on key policy issues and the balance of power in Wisconsin.
