Wisconsin Supreme Court Election Turns Into Musk vs. Soros Battle as Voters Push Back on Billionaire Spending
Voters in Wisconsin are heading back to the polls for a high-stakes election that could shift the ideological balance of the state’s Supreme Court — and all eyes are on Elon Musk.
Although the tech billionaire’s name won’t appear on the ballot, his $20 million contribution to conservative candidate Brad Schimel has made him the central figure in what is now the most expensive judicial race in American history, with spending exceeding $90 million.
Schimel, a former attorney general, is backed by President Donald Trump and Musk, while liberal contender Susan Crawford has drawn support from former President Barack Obama and Democratic power players like George Soros and Illinois Governor JB Pritzker.
With a 4-3 liberal majority on the court hanging in the balance, the race is also a major litmus test for Trump’s post-re-election momentum — and Musk’s rising status as a Republican “kingmaker.”
Voter Sentiment Divided: “I Hate Musk” vs. “He’s Just Balancing the Scales”
The response on the ground has been sharply polarized. In Milwaukee, where early voting has already surpassed 644,000 ballots, emotions are running high.
“I hate Musk! I hate his guts!” exclaimed Peggy, a self-described independent voter, during a doorstep conversation with BBC canvassers. “I think Musk bought the presidency, and now he’s trying to buy the courts.”
That sentiment is echoed in campaign ads flooding Wisconsin’s airwaves and roads, with slogans like “Don’t Let Elon Buy Our Court” and attack ads calling him “out of control.”
Others, like Schimel supporter Conor Gunar, wearing a red “Musk” T-shirt at a campaign rally, see it differently. “Democrats have billionaires like Soros. Why can’t we have one?” he said, praising Musk’s involvement.
Musk’s Personal Stakes and Political Calculations
Critics point out that Musk’s interest in Wisconsin isn’t just ideological. Tesla is currently embroiled in a legal dispute over the state’s ban on manufacturer-owned dealerships — a case that could eventually land in the state Supreme Court. His spending, they argue, is as much about business as it is about politics.
On Sunday, Musk took things further by handing out two $1 million checks to petition-signers at a rally to oppose so-called “activist judges.”
Scarlett Johnson, another Schimel supporter who attended the rally, admitted, “It would be great if no billionaires were involved. But if Democrats have them, it’s only fair we do too.”
Democrats See Musk as a Strategic Target
Political strategists on the left believe targeting Musk may be more effective than directly going after Trump. A recent Marquette Law School poll shows Musk has a 53% unfavorability rating among registered Wisconsin voters.
“If Crawford wins, we’ll have a game plan for how to push back against billionaires like Musk trying to control our courts,” said Ben Wickler, chair of the Wisconsin Democratic Party.
A Microcosm of America’s Political Future
Analysts say the outcome of this election could have ripple effects for national politics, especially with Wisconsin’s reputation as a battleground state. “What happens here is going to tell us a lot about 2026 and 2028,” said political rhetoric expert Allison Prasch from the University of Wisconsin–Madison.
Whether Musk’s millions sway the court — or ignite voter rebellion — the results may define more than just judicial balance. They may shape the trajectory of political influence in 21st-century America.
