Regardless of how it may be characterized in the upcoming days, the result of a minor judicial election in Wisconsin is a significant setback for both President Donald Trump and his billionaire advisor Elon Musk.
While neither individual was actually on the ballot, both had a substantial presence in the contest for a Wisconsin Supreme Court seat.
Their designated candidate faced a decisive defeat.
In some regions of the US, judges are elected directly by the populace; Wisconsin’s highest court is one such location.
Despite being officially non-partisan, the candidates in this race express distinct political beliefs.
The competition pitted Judge Brad Schimel, supported by Trump and Musk, against Susan Crawford, who received endorsements from Democrats, including former President Barack Obama.
Democrat-supported Wisconsin Supreme Court candidate Judge Susan Crawford won her position decisively. (Reuters: Vincent Alban)
In the recent presidential election, Wisconsin narrowly favored Trump, with 49.6% for him compared to 48.74% for Kamala Harris.
Many anticipated a similarly close race here, prompting significant financial contributions from billionaires across the political spectrum.
The court’s power dynamics were at stake, with vital rulings regarding abortion access and voting rights likely hinging on future judicial decisions.
Both parties intensely pursued this seat, culminating in approximately $140 million in expenditures, making it the most expensive judicial election in US history.
However, the result was not close.
This represents a significant triumph for the Democrats, leaving Republicans searching for accountability.
Elon Musk’s Major Influence in This Minor Race
Musk, the CEO of Tesla and the controversial head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), is sure to bear a fair share of that blame.
He was a prominent figure in this race—at times, literally. He sported the iconic Wisconsin cheese-head hat while distributing large checks to Wisconsin voters.
Elon Musk is reported to have invested $30 million in the Wisconsin judicial election. (Reuters: Vincent Alban)
He awarded two separate “prizes” of $1 million each to individuals who signed his petition opposing what he referred to as “activist judges.”
In total, it is believed that Musk and his political action committees spent around $30 million on this election.
While Musk’s financial backing and reputation as a savvy businessman might have previously served as advantages for Trump in the 2024 presidential race, his public perception has recently grown more complicated.
His involvement in dissolving government agencies like USAID and initiating mass dismissals has turned him into a polarizing figure among liberals, with recent polls indicating that many Americans disapprove of him.
Although Trump continues to praise Musk as a “genius,” he has also hinted that it may be challenging for Musk to maintain his role with DOGE due to numerous business obligations.
Supporters of Susan Crawford celebrate her victory in the judicial election. (Reuters: Vincent Alban)
If polls indicate that Musk is becoming an electoral liability, Trump may begin to suggest that he focuses on his private ventures instead.
Some Positive News for Republicans
Republicans did achieve two wins today, but they were far from commanding.
Two previously secure congressional seats in Florida became available after the former incumbents were appointed by Trump to join his cabinet.
Mike Waltz persists as Trump’s National Security Adviser, though there have been suggestions for his removal due to his association with what has been termed Signal-gate.
In case last week’s news seems like a distant memory, Trump officials are accused of mistakenly adding a journalist to a Signal group chat intended for discussing plans to bomb Houthi targets in Yemen.
Amid scandal, Matt Gaetz withdrew from the race to become Trump’s Attorney General when it became clear he would encounter intense opposition.
Both had previously won their seats by margins exceeding 30 percent.
Their newly elected successors triumphed with significantly reduced margins.
Republican Jimmy Patronis captured Gaetz’s former seat by about 15 percentage points.
Randy Fine emerged as the new representative for Florida’s first district after defeating Democrat Josh Weil by roughly 14 points.
This maintains the Republicans’ narrow hold on the House of Representatives, aiding in the passage of Trump’s legislative agenda.
Implications for Trump
In the end, a victory is still a victory, and the president was quick to take credit for both wins.
However, the decline in the margins should concern some Republicans, especially those in battleground districts.
Donald Trump claimed victory in the two Florida elections held today.
(Pool via AP)
While experiencing a certain level of voter backlash in special elections is typical for ruling parties, the swift erosion of Republican support so early in Trump’s administration will raise alarms among the party’s ranks, although few will openly express their concerns for fear of his retribution.
Trump has acknowledged that the nation may encounter early difficulties as his tariffs start to elevate prices.
He appears prepared to endure that dissatisfaction, but he is not facing the pressure of re-election.
Conversely, every House member and a third of the Senate must consider their popularity leading into next year’s midterm elections.
They will need to evaluate whether closely aligning with the president or his affluent associate is a prudent electoral strategy.
