Democratic-backed candidate Susan Crawford is projected to win Wisconsin’s Supreme Court race, securing the court’s liberal majority in this key battleground state just months into President Donald Trump’s second term.

Crawford, a liberal circuit court judge from Dane County, is set to defeat conservative candidate Brad Schimel, a Waukesha County judge who had Trump’s endorsement in the final stretch of the campaign. Although officially a nonpartisan race, Crawford’s victory is expected to be a significant win for Democrats both in Wisconsin and across the country, marking a setback for Trump as voters rejected his preferred candidate in the first major political contest of his second presidency.

Crawford and her Democratic allies also made the election a referendum on Trump supporter Elon Musk, who poured millions into the race. The contest quickly became the most expensive judicial election in U.S. history.

Musk and associated groups spent over $19 million in Wisconsin, funding campaign efforts and television ads. Crawford repeatedly linked Schimel to Musk, at times referring to the billionaire as “my opponent.” Democratic organizations also ran ads highlighting Musk’s influence in the race.

Altogether, more than $90 million was spent by candidates and outside groups, surpassing previous records set just two years ago when a liberal judge won an open seat, flipping the court’s balance.

Schimel and Republican strategists aimed to mobilize Trump’s voter base from the November election, in which the president narrowly carried Wisconsin. Throughout his campaign, Schimel closely aligned himself with Trump, even appearing in a live discussion with Musk on X, the billionaire’s social media platform.

Democrats wagered that highlighting Schimel’s close ties to Trump and Musk would resonate with voters, especially as the two men continue to push a controversial overhaul of the federal government. Key issues such as abortion rights and congressional redistricting became central themes in the campaign.

Crawford, who previously represented Planned Parenthood as a private attorney, is a staunch supporter of abortion rights.

With Wisconsin’s government divided—Democratic Governor Tony Evers leading the state while Republicans control the legislature—the Supreme Court has become the ultimate authority on policies directly impacting residents. One of the most pressing issues before the court is whether a 19th-century law banning most abortions in the state remains enforceable.

Additionally, as a crucial swing state in presidential elections, Wisconsin’s high court plays a vital role in resolving election-related disputes.

Since liberals gained a 4-3 majority on the court two years ago, they have handed Democrats significant victories, including overturning a 2022 ruling that had effectively banned most ballot drop boxes and rejecting Republican-drawn legislative district maps.

Looking ahead, the court may revisit Wisconsin’s congressional maps, which have given the GOP control of six out of the state’s eight U.S. House seats, despite the state’s closely contested elections.

Crawford’s victory secures her a 10-year term on the bench.

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