Susan Crawford Defeats Brad Schimel in Historic Wisconsin Supreme Court Race

It’s been a nail-biting contest with records being broken for campaign spending and in the end, Susan Crawford emerges victorious in a historic Wisconsin Supreme Court race. Crawford defeats former Republican Attorney General Brad Schimel in this election — with more than $90 million in campaign spending. It surpasses all previous judicial election records and has also been one of the most closely watched races in the country.

Thank you, Wisconsin! pic.twitter.com/BVtUjuM9Qf

— Judge Crawford for Wisconsin (@crawfordforwi) April 2, 2025

Crawford’s win not only secures her seat on the court but also ensures Wisconsin’s highest court will maintain its liberal majority. And despite the race being technically ‘nonpartisan,’ there are critical issues like abortion rights, collective bargaining, and voting laws hanging in the balance.

Growing up in Chippewa Falls, I never could have imagined that I would be taking on the richest man in the world for justice in Wisconsin. And we won.

Susan Crawford, newly elected to the State Supreme Court

Campaigns and outside groups spent millions on both sides of the contest, with Schimel receiving heavy backing from conservative donors, including tech mogul Elon Musk. Crawford also benefited from substantial financial support from liberal billionaires. The historic spending, which is expected to top $100 million by the time all contributions are accounted for, highlights how crucial this race has been — not just for Wisconsin, but for the broader national political landscape.

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Listen to the complete election night victory speech by Crawford here:

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Experts warned this race would be close, with both candidates drawing roughly equal levels of voter support. Crawford’s victory came down to strong support in urban centers like Milwaukee and Dane County, while Schimel performed well in more rural areas. The decisive factor, however, was the record turnout among key demographics, including young voters and women—two groups heavily impacted by potential changes to abortion laws and collective bargaining protections.

“This victory marks a turning point for Wisconsin,” Crawford says. “It’s a victory for fairness, for justice, and for the values that Wisconsinites hold dear. We have a chance now to safeguard our rights and protect the freedoms that are at stake.”

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