Judge Susan Crawford greets supporters in Madison, Wis., on Tuesday after winning a seat on the Wisconsin Supreme Court.
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MADISON, Wis. – County Judge Susan Crawford has officially secured her election to the Wisconsin Supreme Court, as confirmed by the latest projections.
Crawford triumphed over Brad Schimel, who garnered financial backing from significant donors. This win preserves the nonpartisan court’s liberal majority of 4-3.
The election was noted to be the most expensive state supreme court contest to date, with spending amounting to over $100 million, according to analysts.
The contentious campaign was intensified due to its national implications, viewed as a reflection of voter sentiment and a precursor to future political dynamics in pivotal swing states.
Shortly after 9:30 p.m., Crawford addressed her enthusiastic supporters, announcing that Schimel had conceded. She referenced the substantial financial support directed towards her opponent.
“As a young girl in Chippewa Falls, I never imagined challenging the wealthiest individual for justice in Wisconsin — and we succeeded,” Crawford declared, pledging to serve as a fair and impartial justice.
As of 11:15 p.m., with nearly all votes counted, Crawford held a leading margin of 54.4% to Schimel’s 45.6%, indicating a strong voter turnout for a judicial election.
Judge Brad Schimel delivers his concession speech at his election night gathering in Pewaukee, Wis.
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Critical Issues Await Decision from the Court
Significant issues under review include abortion laws and the application of a pre-Civil War ban that conflicts with contemporary state regulations allowing abortions up to about 20 weeks of pregnancy. Additionally, a landmark law enacted in 2011 that restricted collective bargaining for public employees is also at stake.
As part of the campaign, there was substantial commentary on the potential for redistricting that might threaten Republican control in the U.S. House. Notably, substantial financial contributions aimed at supporting Schimel came from a range of conservative backers.
Crawford’s Background and Experience
Crawford is a seasoned attorney with a history of advocating for reproductive rights and voting accessibility. Having served as assistant attorney general to former Wisconsin Democratic Gov. Jim Doyle, she has also represented organizations such as Planned Parenthood and unions, and has opposed Wisconsin’s voter ID restrictions. She was elected as a circuit court judge in Dane County in 2018.
Meanwhile, Schimel, a former Republican attorney general, supported voter ID laws and affirmed the validity of older abortion regulations, arguing that such topics should ultimately reflect public sentiment.
Throughout the campaign, Crawford aimed to distance herself from Schimel’s ties to the previous administration and highlight her advocacy for women’s issues.
Having secured significant backing from the Wisconsin Democratic Party, as well as contributions from influential national donors, Crawford also received endorsements from various labor organizations and pro-choice advocates.
In contrast, Schimel received considerable financial support from conservative factions, underscoring the partisan divides reflected in this pivotal election.
Both candidates faced scrutiny regarding their potential biases in cases involving prominent political donors, despite the latitude granted by state laws regarding judicial recusal.
Crawford is set to be sworn in on August 1 for a ten-year term on the Wisconsin Supreme Court.
