 "Who is Susan Crawford, the Liberal who beat Musk-backed rival, to win Wisconsin Supreme Court race?")
Susan Crawford emerged victorious in the highly contested race for a pivotal seat on the Wisconsin Supreme Court, securing a 10-year term in a contest that set a new record as the most expensive judicial election in US history.
Her win ensures that liberals maintain a 4-3 majority on the state’s highest court, positioning it to weigh in on critical cases concerning abortion rights, labour laws and legislative redistricting.
Crawford’s triumph, which saw her defeat conservative judge and former state attorney general Brad Schimel, was largely seen as a significant setback for US President Donald Trump and billionaire Elon Musk, who had heavily backed Schimel’s campaign.
The election captured national attention, not only because of its implications for Wisconsin’s judiciary but also due to the vast amounts of money pouring into both campaigns.
With over $90 million spent by candidates, political parties, and external groups, the race set a new precedent for judicial campaign financing.
Musk and organisations aligned with him contributed over $21 million to Schimel’s campaign, while Democratic groups and donors provided substantial financial support to Crawford, highlighting the deeply partisan nature of the contest.
Who is Susan Crawford?
Susan Crawford, 60, has built a career rooted in public service and legal advocacy. Since 2018, she has served as a Dane County Circuit Court judge, winning reelection in 2022.
Prior to her judicial tenure, she worked as an assistant attorney general for both the Iowa and Wisconsin Departments of Justice, specialising in criminal appeals.
In 2009, Crawford was appointed chief legal counsel to Democratic Governor Jim Doyle, a role she held until Doyle left office in 2011. Following this, she became a partner at a Madison-based law firm known for challenging Republican-backed legislation.
In this capacity, she represented Planned Parenthood in legal battles concerning abortion rights and took on high-profile cases defending unions and voting rights.
Among her most notable cases, Crawford represented public-sector unions in a lawsuit challenging Wisconsin’s Act 10 — a controversial law enacted under former Republican Governor Scott Walker that severely curtailed collective bargaining rights for most public workers.
More recently, a Dane County judge struck down key portions of the law as unconstitutional, a decision that is expected to reach the Wisconsin Supreme Court, where Crawford’s presence could be pivotal.
Her legal career also includes challenges to voter ID laws, advocating for expanded voting access, and defending environmental regulations during her tenure at the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.
Born in 1965 in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, Crawford grew up in a politically engaged family. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Lawrence University in 1987, followed by a master’s degree from Indiana University in 1989.
She later attended the University of Iowa College of Law, where she graduated in 1994. During her time in law school, she served as editor-in-chief of the Iowa Law Review.
Crawford has lived in Madison for much of her career and is married with two children. She first entered electoral politics in 2018 when she successfully ran for a Dane County Circuit Court judgeship.
Her campaign focused on her extensive litigation experience and her commitment to defending unions, public education, and women’s rights.
Her judicial philosophy has been shaped by her work in civil rights, labor law, and environmental regulation. Supporters describe her as a principled and experienced jurist committed to upholding the rule of law and protecting the rights of ordinary citizens.
Crawford vs “Elon Schimel”
The Wisconsin Supreme Court election was defined by Crawford’s opposition to the influence of billionaire Elon Musk, who played an unprecedented role in a state judicial race.
Musk not only provided financial backing to Schimel but also campaigned personally in Wisconsin, framing the election as a crucial battle for conservative judicial control.
Crawford made Musk’s involvement a central theme of her campaign, at one point referring to her opponent as “Elon Schimel” during a debate.
The Wisconsin Democratic Party amplified this message, branding the race as “The People v. Musk” and organising anti-Musk town halls. The strategy resonated with voters, many of whom viewed Musk’s financial intervention as an attempt to influence state politics from afar.
During her victory speech in Madison, Crawford underscored this sentiment, stating, “I never thought I would be taking on the richest man in the world for justice. And we won.”
What this means for US politics
The election was widely perceived as an early referendum on Trump’s presidency and the broader political struggle between conservatives and liberals in Wisconsin. National Democratic leaders celebrated Crawford’s win as a crucial victory in their efforts to counteract Republican influence in the judiciary.
The Democratic National Committee framed the outcome as a rejection of not only Musk’s involvement but also of Trump’s continued presence in American politics.
Ken Martin, chair of the Democratic National Committee, stated, “Tonight, the people of Wisconsin squarely rejected the influence of Elon Musk, Donald Trump, and billionaire special interests.”
For Republicans, Schimel’s loss represents a missed opportunity to regain judicial control in Wisconsin, a state that has been pivotal in national elections.
Conservative justices will face reelection in 2026 and 2027, but with Crawford’s victory, liberals are projected to retain their majority on the court until at least 2028.
One of the most immediate impacts of Crawford’s win will be the court’s ability to rule on pending cases concerning the legality of Wisconsin’s congressional district maps.
The current maps, drawn by the Republican-controlled state legislature, have resulted in Republicans holding six out of eight congressional seats in a state that remains politically divided.
A liberal-leaning court could mandate new district boundaries, potentially giving Democrats an advantage in future House races.
With Crawford set to take office on August 1, 2025, attention will turn to the cases that will soon come before the Wisconsin Supreme Court. The state’s 1849 abortion ban law, currently being challenged in lower courts, is one such case that could have far-reaching consequences.
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Additionally, legal battles over voting rights and legislative redistricting could redefine Wisconsin’s political landscape for years to come.
With inputs from agencies
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