Wisconsin Supreme Court race poised to be most expensive of its kind on record

The race for an open seat on the Wisconsin Supreme Court, to be determined Tuesday, is poised to shatter fundraising records for a state Supreme Court race.

“Tomorrow’s #WIPol Supreme Court race is the most expensive state Supreme Court race on record. It’s seen $75.8m in ad spending: 89% more than the second place 2023 WI Supreme Court contest,” ad-tracking firm AdImpact posted on the social platform X. “Dem advertisers backing Susan Crawford currently have a $8.4m spending advantage overall.”

Between the week of Jan. 15 and the week of April 1, Democrats have spent $42.1 million in ad spending and reservations, while Republicans have spent $33.7 million.

Conservative candidate Brad Schimel is running against liberal candidate Susan Crawford for an open seat on the Wisconsin’s high court Tuesday, which will determine whether it remains a 5-4 liberal majority or flips to a conservative one.

President Trump and Elon Musk have backed Schimel in the race, with Musk spending over $12 million from his super PAC, America PAC, alone to support the conservative candidate. Meanwhile, donors like George Soros and Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker (D) have also waded into the race as Democrats look to push Crawford over the finish line.

The last time there was an open seat on the Wisconsin Supreme Court that determined its partisan tilt, in 2023, $40.1 million was spent in the race.