Unveiling Hidden Influences in the Wisconsin Supreme Court Contest

A $1 million donation from a powerful dark money group with international ties has cast a shadow over the recent Wisconsin Supreme Court race.

Key Insights

Susan Crawford secured a pivotal Wisconsin Supreme Court seat with Democratic support.
The Sixteen Thirty Fund’s $1 million donation raised concerns about foreign influence.
The race set records as the most expensive in U.S. court history.
Voter turnout was extremely high despite being an off-year election.

Crawford’s Historic Win

Judge Susan Crawford’s victory in the Wisconsin Supreme Court race marked a significant shift in the court’s ideological makeup. Backed by Democrats and influenced by a major $1 million contribution from the Sixteen Thirty Fund through A Better Wisconsin Together Political Fund, Crawford emerged as a prominent figure. Her campaign focused extensively on countering Elon Musk’s financial support for her conservative opponent, Judge Brad Schimel, who aligned with Trump and had the support of Musk’s $25 million campaign efforts. The contest was branded by Democrats as “The People v. Musk.”

The race attracted approximately $25 million and captured national attention as the costliest court race in the U.S. As Judge Crawford celebrated her win, she emphasized the importance of democracy, affirming, “Wisconsin stood up and said loudly that justice does not have a price. Our courts are not for sale.” This victory underscores the critical role dark money and foreign ties play in national elections and policymaking.

The Role of Dark Money

The Sixteen Thirty Fund’s involvement in Crawford’s campaign has rekindled debates regarding foreign influence in U.S. elections. The fund’s $1 million donation, funneled through ABWT, underscores the danger of international connections in American electoral processes. Americans for Public Trust stressed the need to close loopholes that enable these foreign-backed contributions, echoing broader calls for legislative review in multiple states concerned with electoral integrity.

Crawford, former Dane County Circuit Court judge and legal counsel for Democratic Governor Jim Doyle, has spent years involved in controversial cases. She has represented Planned Parenthood in challenges against abortion restrictions and opposed voter ID laws. Crawford’s victory paves the way for potential changes in Wisconsin’s congressional maps and abortion and election laws, as the court’s new balance reflects more radical-left perspectives.

All the media wants to talk about is @elonmusk but ignore 77% of Susan Crawford’s $$$ comes from out-of-state donors compared to only 15% of Brad Schimel’s donations. The left loves to accuse conservatives of things they do. Schimel’s only promise is to uphold the Constitution! pic.twitter.com/oWe1PGgNEE

— Scott Walker (@ScottWalker) March 31, 2025

Implications of Crawford’s Victory

Crawford’s win has far-reaching implications for the ideological balance of the Wisconsin Supreme Court, with her success seen as a shift toward leftist values. The election also sparked broader discussions about external financial influences on American democratic processes, with calls for more stringent oversight becoming increasingly prominent.

The Wisconsin Supreme Court race serves as a case study on the influence of dark money and how it can steer election outcomes. With Crawford’s decisive victory and resultant Democratic momentum, many states may intensify efforts to legislate against such foreign-backed financial interventions, defending the integrity of domestic political affairs.