Musk flexes influence as Wisconsin Supreme Court race smashes spending records
CNN
Campaign spending has smashed records in Wisconsin’s high-stakes Supreme Court race, as megadonors from both parties are directing millions to the closely watched election that’s set to decide ideological control of the battleground state’s high court. And tech billionaire Elon Musk is flexing his growing political influence after his key supporting role in President Donald Trump’s 2024 campaign.
Campaign spending has smashed records in Wisconsin’s high-stakes Supreme Court race, as megadonors from both parties are directing millions to the closely watched election that’s set to decide ideological control of the battleground state’s high court. And tech billionaire Elon Musk is flexing his growing political influence after his key supporting role in President Donald Trump’s 2024 campaign. Musk announced Friday that he would travel to Wisconsin for an event on Sunday naming the winners of million-dollar giveaways orchestrated by his super PAC, reprising a controversial tactic he used in last year’s election. His personal contributions and spending by groups that he’s funded in the past total more than $20 million for the Tuesday, April 1 race, so far. Musk’s commitment to the Wisconsin contest amounts to a demonstration of the financial firepower he can bring to bear on campaigns as the 2026 midterms approach next fall. The Department of Government Efficiency leader has already started signaling his favor through smaller direct contributions to GOP lawmakers as he and Trump cement their grip on the party. Meanwhile, prominent Democratic megadonors have also rallied to the contest. The veteran liberal financier George Soros has contributed $2 million to the state Democratic Party, while the billionaire governor of neighboring Illinois, JB Pritzker, has given an additional $1.5 million. “What’s happening in Wisconsin is unlike anything that has happened in any other state,” said Douglas Keith, senior counsel at the Brennan Center for Justice’s Judiciary Program. “This race has seen as much money as a US Senate race that could decide the majority of the Senate.” Other PACs and dark money groups that face limited disclosure requirements have also flooded the contest with funds from both sides. And the surge of outside interest has caused spending on the race to skyrocket past the previous national record for a judicial election, $51 million, held by another Wisconsin Supreme Court race in 2023.
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