The Republican Party of Wisconsin, led by Chairman Brian Schimming, is ramping up efforts to elect conservative state Supreme Court candidate Brad Schimel in the crucial April 1 election against Democrat Susan Crawford. Schimming described the party as being on “war footing” to ensure a victory that could shape Wisconsin’s judicial and political landscape for years.
The election follows a significant defeat for conservatives in 2023 when liberal Justice Janet Protasiewicz flipped the court to a 4-3 liberal majority. With the retirement of liberal Justice Ann Walsh Bradley, conservatives have a rare opportunity to reclaim the majority. Democrats see the election as a pathway to push progressive policies and redraw legislative maps, which could cost Republicans two U.S. House seats and bolster Democratic control in Congress.
Schimming emphasized the importance of maintaining election integrity and voter engagement, highlighting the GOP’s robust ground game. The Wisconsin GOP has retained key staff, opened field offices in minority communities, and strengthened election oversight efforts. He noted that Trump’s 2024 victory in Wisconsin provides a strong base of voters who, if mobilized, could secure Schimel’s win.
Democrats have flooded the race with out-of-state money, with left-wing billionaires such as George Soros, Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, and Silicon Valley’s Reid Hoffman contributing millions to support Crawford. Campaign finance reports show that over 40% of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin’s recent contributions came from these megadonors.
The Wisconsin Supreme Court is set to rule on key issues, including abortion laws, union bargaining rights, and election integrity. The outcome could significantly impact the balance of power in Wisconsin and beyond. With millions pouring into both campaigns, the race is expected to be the most expensive judicial election in U.S. history.
