Summary

The 2025 Wisconsin Supreme Court race is smashing previous fundraising records as the battle lines are drawn between liberal Judge Susan Crawford and conservative ex-Attorney General Brad Schimel. With Elon Musk backing Schimel, big money is flooding in, underscoring the hyper-partisan climate. While Crawford's campaign leads in fundraising, both candidates are heavily supported by their respective state parties. This high-stakes election will determine the ideological tilt of the court, impacting pivotal issues like redistricting and abortion rights.

Takeaways

• Crawford and Schimel are locked in a record-breaking fundraising battle.
• Out-of-state donors and party cash are pouring into Wisconsin's judicial race.
• The election result could shift the balance of the Wisconsin Supreme Court.
• Redistricting and abortion rights are key issues on the line.
• The influx of national money highlights the race's broader implications.

Discuss

How will the infusion of national money influence judicial independence? Can the court maintain impartiality with such direct political funding? What are the long-term implications of hyper-partisan judicial races?

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Image Credit: Vincent Alban for The New York Times