Susan Crawford defeated Brad Shimel: Why Wisconsin Supreme Court’s loss was personal for Elon Musk

In a closely seen and historically expensive election, Liberal Judge Susan Crawford defeated the Orthodox Brad Shimel to score a 10 -year term on the Visconsin Supreme Court, preserving the narrow liberal majority of the court. This result represents an important win not only for Democrats, but is also a deep personal and strategic necklace for billionaire Alone Musk, who invested millions of people in the race in an attempt to increase their results.

A record -breaking choice

The Visconsin Supreme Court race broke the record as the most expensive judicial election in American history, with Kasturi over $ 21 million in Shimel’s campaign. Most of this funding came through Musk’s US PAC, a political action committee that he established to support former President Donald Trump. Musk’s contribution included direct financial support for Shimel and controversial cash incentive for voters – $ 100 to sign petitions and $ 1 million for individuals. Despite these efforts, Crawford was victorious, securing a liberal majority in court with national implications for issues such as abortion rights, labor laws and electoral redistribution.

Musk’s political aspirations

Elon Musk’s participation in this race was away from accidental. As an important person in President Donald Trump’s administration and government proficiency department (DOGE) leader, Musk has become increasingly active in shaping political results. Dog has attracted significant attention to federal agencies for its aggressive cost-cutting measures, making musk a polarization figure in American politics.
By supporting Shimel, Musk aims to increase the conservative judicial impact in Wisconsin – an important swing state – and indirectly pursue Trump’s agenda. The Wisconsin Supreme Court has made significant changes on issues such as voting rights and redistribution, which are important before the 2026 midnight and the 2028 presidential election. Losing this race has reduced Musk’s ability to influence these broad political mobility.

Democrat’s Strategy: Frame of Kasturi as a opposition

Throughout the campaign, the Democrats strategically deployed Musk as the primary opponent, forming his sufficient financial contribution as an attempt to “buy” the election. Judge Crawford and his supporters emphasized this story in their message, portraying Musk’s participation as an unprecedented attack on democracy.
In his victory speech, Crawford announced, “Today, the visconsinis defended our democracy, our equitable elections and an unprecedented attack on our Supreme Court. Visconsin firmly announced that justice cannot be purchased; our courts are not for sale.” The rhetoric echoed with voters who were careful with corporate intervention in judicial matters and liberation in Democratic voting.

A proxy battle for national politics

The race quickly became a proxy battle between the trump-educated conservators and the Democrats at both state and national levels. Officially Nonpartison, conceptual stakes were clear: Republican held rallies behind Shimel with support from Trump and Musk, while the Democrats – which included former President Barack Obama – supported CrFard.
The election served as the first major test of public emotion during Trump’s second term and highlighted the growing role of Musk as a political influential person. However, the disadvantage indicates resistance to both the policies of Trump and the controversial leadership of the musk in the Dogi.

Visconsin Supreme Court candidate Susan Crawford addressed a crowd on Saturday, March 29, 2025 at a field office for the Democratic Party of Visconsin in Milwauki. (AP Photo/Andy Manis)

Financial strategy backfire

Musk’s financial strategy explained extensively from Democrats and Progressive Organizations. His decision to offer cash encouragement – such as handing over $ 1 million check to voters – was seen by many as an attempt to reduce democratic principles. These strategies eventually led to extending the protest among Democratic voters, who saw him as a symbol of corporate overache.
Despite unprecedented expenses from Kasturi -linked groups, Shimel gave up the election night. During his concession speech, a voter “Cheater!” Shouted – Relations of the controversial nature of the race.

Dog and implication for Tesla

This loss has widespread implications for musk beyond politics. Dogge has faced increasing criticism on his cost cut initiative, which has reduced staffing and decreased federal services. Crawford’s victory increases resistance to these policies at both state and national levels.
Additionally, Tesla -Mask’s leading company – has been entangled in legal disputes with visconsin over dealership rights. A conservative-shrine court could have been more favorable to Tesla’s interests, causing this loss to also a setback for Musk’s commercial ambitions.

Versionism

Wisconsin gave importance as a major battleground in American politics. By investing so heavy in this race, Musk not only hoped to shape his judiciary, but also a widespread electoral trends before future competitions such as the 2028 presidential election.
However, Crawford’s victory suggests that vast financial resources also cannot guarantee success – especially when voters see those resources as reducing democratic norms.

The musk answers

After the disadvantage, Elon Musk took his ex -platform (formerly Twitter) to express his frustration. He criticized “The Long CON of the Left”, but focused on an concurrent voter ID amendment passed during the election – a small consolation among his big defeat. While Musk insisted that the voter ID law was “most importantly”, his comments underlined how to feel the loss of Shimel.

Money can’t buy everything

Elon Musk’s involvement in the race of Visconsin Supreme Court was not just about supporting Brad Shimel; This was part of a major strategy to strengthen their political influence and pursue conservative priorities. The disadvantage represents the rejection of these ambitions by Visconsin voters – an expensive lesson about the boundaries of wealth and power in American democracy. As the Democrats celebrate their victory and maintain control over the liberal court, there are questions about how this necklace will shape Musk’s future political efforts. Will he re -organize his approach or double the same competitions? Despite its next step, one thing is clear: Wisconsin has sent a vigorous message that justice cannot be purchased.