Wisconsin Supreme Court Keeps Liberal Majority with Susan Crawford's Election Win

Voters in Wisconsin elected Dane County Circuit Judge Susan Crawford to serve on the state's Supreme Court, securing a liberal majority with a 4-3 split.

The election saw heavy turnout, with early voting well ahead of historic averages and some polling locations running out of paper ballots. The race was officially nonpartisan, but each candidate received backing from respective political parties and interests.

President Trump endorsed Brad Schimel, while billionaire Elon Musk made significant financial contributions to his campaign. Crawford's victory could have significant implications not only in Wisconsin but also nationally, as the court may soon decide cases that determine how U.S. House districts are drawn.

The Supreme Court is also hearing challenges to Wisconsin's abortion laws, which currently allow abortions up to 22 weeks into a pregnancy.

"Wisconsin's a big state politically, and the Supreme Court has a lot to do with elections in Wisconsin," President Trump said. "Winning Wisconsin's a big deal, so therefore the Supreme Court choice … it's a big race."

The election was the most expensive ever run for a court election, with parties spending more than $90 million. Over $20 million of that came from groups funded by Elon Musk.

Musk was in Green Bay to campaign for Schimel, attending an event where he handed two attendees a check for $1 million.

In related news, voters also approved a state constitutional amendment requiring photo ID for voting. The measure was initially a state law.

Republicans say the new constitutional protection will increase the security of state elections, but the process of voting will remain the same for residents, as state law already required a photo ID to cast a ballot.