WI Supreme Court Race: Biggest Out-Of-State Spenders Revealed

MADISON, WI — Tuesday's election that will determine the ideological balance of the Wisconsin Supreme Court has officially become the most expensive judicial race in American history, according to the Brennan Center for Justice.

The intensely watched race pits Democratic-backed Dane County Circuit Judge Susan Crawford against Republican-supported former state Attorney General Brad Schimel.

The surge in spending can be traced to the 2010 Citizens United decision and other rulings that opened the door to unlimited political contributions.

As a result, money is pouring into the race from across the country, raising concerns that national interests are "drowning out" the voices from within Wisconsin, the Brennan Center warned.

Here’s a breakdown of the major independent spending in the race, according to the Brennan Center:

Pro-Republican candidate spending: $32.1 million

• America PAC and Building America’s Future (reportedly Elon Musk–funded): $14.3M
• Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce: $4.3 million
• Fair Courts America (Richard Uihlein–linked): $4 million
• Americans for Prosperity (Koch-affiliated): $3.2 million
• Republican State Leadership Committee: $1.8 million

Pro Democratic candidate spending: $12.9 million

• A Better Wisconsin Together (Lynde Uihlein–backed): $6.2 million
• ACLU Voter Education Fund: $1 million
• George Soros (via state Democratic party): $1 million

Ahead of the election, the Wisconsin Supreme Court has a narrow 4-3 liberal majority. This balance was established following Justice Janet Protasiewicz's victory in the April 2023 election, which shifted control to liberals for the first time since 2008.

Find out more at the Brennan Center.