Crawford’s Fierce Win Shifts Wisconsin Court Power
Today, something big happened in Wisconsin. Judge Susan Crawford won a seat on the state’s Supreme Court. She beat Brad Schimel, a guy backed by big names like Elon Musk and Donald Trump. This victory keeps the court’s liberal majority alive. It’s a 4-3 split now, and Crawford’s win makes waves. People are talking. Some are thrilled. Others feel crushed. But one thing is clear: this race was wild. It broke records. It stirred emotions. And it showed the power of voters.
Let’s start with the basics. The election happened on April 1, 2025. That’s today, as I write this at 9:11 PM PDT. Crawford got 55 percent of the vote. Schimel trailed with 44 percent. Over 70 percent of votes were counted when the Associated Press called it. That’s a solid win. Not a squeaker. Crawford’s team popped champagne in Madison. Schimel’s crew? Not so happy. They had Musk’s millions and Trump’s endorsement. Yet, they lost. How did this happen? Let’s break it down.
First, money poured into this race. It was insane. Over $81 million got spent. That’s a jaw-dropping number for a state court seat. Crawford’s campaign raised $21 million. Schimel’s pulled in $10 million. Outside groups dumped the rest. Musk alone funneled $3 million through the Republican Party. He even handed out $1 million checks to two petition signers. Crazy, right? Meanwhile, billionaires like George Soros and JB Pritzker backed Crawford. They gave millions to Democrats. This wasn’t just a local fight. It felt national. Big players wanted to flex their muscle.
But here’s the kicker. Crawford turned Musk into the bad guy. She didn’t just run against Schimel. She ran against Musk’s cash. “Elon’s trying to buy Wisconsin,” her supporters shouted. And voters listened. One guy in Green Bay told The Epoch Times, “I voted against Musk.” Ouch. That’s a punch to the gut for Schimel’s team. They thought Trump’s popularity would carry them. After all, Trump won Wisconsin in 2024 with 1.7 million votes. But this time? No dice. The momentum flipped.
So, what does this mean? For starters, the court stays liberal. Crawford replaces Justice Ann Walsh Bradley, who’s retiring. The 4-3 edge holds. That’s huge. This court will tackle hot issues soon. Think abortion rights. Think redistricting. Maybe even labor laws. Conservatives worried Crawford would redraw congressional maps. They feared losing the U.S. House majority. Senator Ron Johnson said it out loud. “She’ll mess with our districts,” he warned at a Musk event. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy called her a “radical leftist.” They painted her as a threat. But voters didn’t buy it.
On the flip side, Democrats cheered. They’ve now won three straight Supreme Court races in Wisconsin. That’s a streak. They outspent Republicans $40 million to $15 million in those fights. Clearly, their game plan works. Crawford’s win feels like a triumph. It’s a boost after Trump’s 2024 victory stung them. One supporter, Kristin Lyerly, told The Epoch Times, “We showed Musk we’re not for sale.” That’s emotional. It’s powerful. It’s the kind of line that sticks.
Now, let’s talk turnout. Nearly 675,000 absentee ballots came in by March 30. That’s double last year’s spring election. People cared. They showed up. Polling stations buzzed. One Green Bay inspector said it felt like a typical spring vote. But the numbers say otherwise. This was big. Historic, even. And it wasn’t just the money. Voters felt the stakes. They knew this court could shape their lives.
Interestingly, some folks hated the cash flood. Kyle Thomas, a 64-year-old from Ashwaubenon, griped to The Epoch Times. “It’s getting harder with all this political nonsense,” he said. He’s right. The ads were relentless. Texts. Calls. Flyers. It was overload. Phil Cigler, 44, from Green Bay, tried to tune it out. “I read my handouts and decide,” he said. Smart move. Then there’s Courtney Koslowski, 28. She researched on her own. “Keeping your values is tough,” she admitted. These are real people. They’re fed up. Yet, they voted anyway.
So, why did Crawford win? A few reasons stand out. First, she’s got cred. She’s been a Dane County judge since 2018. Before that, she worked for the state Attorney General. She even advised ex-Governor James Doyle. Solid resume. Schimel? He’s a former Attorney General too. But his Trump-Musk ties might’ve backfired. Second, Crawford’s message hit home. She framed it as democracy versus big money. That’s a winner. Third, betting markets saw it coming. They gave her 80:20 odds. The crowd knew.
But let’s not kid ourselves. This wasn’t all rosy. Schimel’s team fought hard. They had Musk’s megaphone. Trump’s clout. They pushed a “save the country” vibe. Musk said it on March 30. “This vote controls the House,” he claimed. Bold stuff. It just didn’t land. Maybe voters were tired. Maybe they didn’t trust the hype. Either way, Crawford outsmarted them.
Now, picture this. It’s election night. Madison’s alive with cheers. Crawford steps up. She’s beaming. Supporters hug her. She’s a circuit judge turned justice. Her win feels personal for many. Over in Pewaubenon, Schimel’s camp is quiet. He concedes. The dream’s over. Musk’s millions? Wasted. Trump’s nod? Not enough. It’s a brutal twist.
What’s next? The court’s set until 2026. That’s when Justice Rebecca Bradley faces reelection. For now, liberals hold the reins. They’ll decide big cases. Abortion’s on the table. So is redistricting. Unions might get a boost too. Conservatives will regroup. They’re not done. But today, they’re licking wounds.
If you want more on this, check out my site, AMERICA NEWS WORLD (ANW). We’ve got the latest. Plus, we dig into what’s real. No fluff. Just facts. For another take, peek at this external news link from The New York Times. They’ve got details too.
Anyway, let’s zoom out. This race wasn’t just about judges. It was a clash. Money versus grit. Outsiders versus locals. Power versus people. Crawford’s win says something. Voters still call the shots. Not billionaires. Not ex-presidents. That’s refreshing. It’s raw. It’s democracy doing its thing.
Think about it. Over $81 million spent. That’s bonkers. It’s more than most countries’ elections. Yet, a judge from Dane County pulled it off. She didn’t have the flashiest ads. She didn’t hand out million-dollar checks. She had a story. A fight. And people rallied.
Here’s a fun tidbit. Crawford’s from Iowa originally. She studied law there. Then she came to Wisconsin. She climbed the ladder. Schimel’s a Wisconsin guy too. He’s got roots. But his Musk-Trump baggage weighed him down. Funny how that works.
So, what’s the takeaway? Simple. Elections matter. Even weird spring ones. They shape courts. Courts shape laws. Laws shape lives. Crawford’s win keeps that liberal tilt. It’s not forever. But it’s now. And now counts.
Before I wrap up, let’s chat feelings. This race got people fired up. Some felt hope. Others, dread. Money made it messy. But voters cut through. They picked. That’s power. Real power. Not the kind you buy.
Oh, and one more thing. Visit AMERICA112.COM for updates. We’re tracking this. We’re watching the court. We’re here for you.
In the end, Crawford’s victory is a shock. It’s a thrill. It’s a lesson. Money talks. But votes scream. Wisconsin proved it. Again. What do you think? Drop a comment on my site. Let’s keep this going.