Progressive Judge Wins Key Wisconsin Supreme Court Race

Voters in Wisconsin chose progressive Judge Susan Crawford on Tuesday to fill an open seat on the state’s Supreme Court. Crawford, a circuit court judge from Dane County, defeated conservative Judge Brad Schimel of Waukesha County by ten percentage points.

The election was closely watched because it decided who would control the state’s highest court. With Crawford’s victory, progressives will keep a 4–3 majority on the court. Republicans had hoped to win the seat and take back control.

The result is seen as a sign of how voting patterns have changed in Wisconsin. While Republicans do well when Donald Trump is on the ballot, Democrats tend to show up in bigger numbers in local and state races like this one.

The race also became part of the national conversation. Tech billionaire Elon Musk appeared at a campaign event to support Schimel, but Democrats already had a large fundraising advantage, with donations from major figures like George Soros and Illinois Governor J. B. Pritzker.

This election could have a big impact on Wisconsin’s future. With a liberal majority, the court is expected to take on important cases. One of them could challenge Act 10, a law passed in 2011 that limited the power of public sector unions. Conservatives say the law helped the state’s finances. Liberals say it hurt workers’ rights.

The court may also rule on Wisconsin’s political maps, which could help Democrats win more seats in Congress.

For conservatives, losing this race is a major setback. It could undo years of policies they fought to put in place. As one observer put it, “What happens in the Wisconsin Supreme Court may decide what happens in Wisconsin’s government.