Crawford Secures Win in the Nation's Most Expensive Court Race

Dane County Judge Susan Crawford secured an open seat on the Wisconsin Supreme Court, solidifying liberal control for at least another three years.  With 98% of the vote in, Crawford was at 55%, while conservative Waukesha County Judge Brad Schimel was at 45%, according to unofficial returns. The money and national spotlight on this race were unprecedented.  The Tesla CEO and top aide to President Trump and his PAC spent more than $24 Million on this race.  Schimel underperformed in numerous areas around the state as Crawford easily exceeded the numbers that Democratic nominee Kamala Harris put up in the November election in losing to Donald Trump.  Crawford also won Brown, Outagamie, and Winnebago counties after Trump took all three last fall.  Turnout in the Supreme Court race has topped 2.3 million, with some precincts still out. That’s roughly a 26% increase statewide compared to 2023.

Key numbers include:

• Waukesha County, where Schimel got 57.6% of the vote in the county where he serves as a judge and worked as the DA. Trump won 60% of the two-party vote there in November- below what a Republican typically needs to win statewide- but overcame that by overperforming in numerous other areas. Conservative Daniel Kelly won just shy of 58% of the vote in the key county as he lost the 2023 Supreme Court race.
• Dane County, where Crawford won nearly 82% of the vote. Harris took 76% of the vote there in November as Trump cut into typical Democrat margins in the deep blue county. Protasiewicz also took nearly 82% there two years ago.
• Kenosha County, which Trump won in 2016, 2020, and 2024. Crawford won 52.7% there, while Protasiewicz took 53.9% two years ago.

State Superintendent race: 

There was a significant drop-off in the state superintendent race, though incumbent Jill Underly still won comfortably. With 98% of the vote in, Underly had 52.9% to education consultant Brittany Kinser’s 47.1%.  About 191,000 fewer votes were cast in that race, which was overshadowed by the record $107 million spent on the Supreme Court contest.  Underly was backed by the state Dem Party, while Kinser received support and donations from the state GOP and backers of private school choice. Underly will earn another four-year term.  

Constitutional Referendum: 

More than 63% of voters backed amending the Wisconsin Constitution to add a voter ID requirement. The Associated Press called the race at 8:37 p.m. The vote was 61% to 39% with 40% of the votes in. The amendment passed the GOP-run Assembly and Senate along party lines earlier this year, with all Republicans supporting and all Democrats opposed.