Musk's Money Trumps Wisconsin Court Vote

A vote for selecting a new Supreme Court judge in the northern U.S. state of Wisconsin typically wouldn’t cause much of a stir.

However, once the world’s wealthiest individual showed interest in the competition, attention surged, leading to sizable demonstrations on Sunday attracting many participants.

Tech baron and political provocateur Elon Musk, a close ally of President Donald Trump, has poured money into the Tuesday election, hoping to secure a conservative win.

The liberal candidate, 60-year-old Susan Crawford, was campaigning the old-fashioned way, addressing a crowd at an antiques shop meeting on a rainy Sunday morning.

"Elon Musk, everyone knows him, right? He has already spent over $25 million, and this number increases daily," Crawford informed the audience.

"He's working as the unelected right-hand man to the president. He's got an agenda."

If Crawford's Republican-backed opponent, Brad Schimel, beats her, he will tip the balance on the Wisconsin court to the right.

Every four years, Wisconsin — a state with a population of six million, largely recognized for its beer and cheese production — transforms into a crucial battleground state during a presidential election.

Straight-armed salute

Should the conduct or outcome of that poll be contested, it will fall upon the Wisconsin Supreme Court to make a ruling on the matter.

Musk's backing of Schimel might consequently act as a pivotal factor in the politics.

But at small-town rallies, the South African-born oligarch's eruption into Wisconsin's affairs seems to have provoked as much resistance as support.

Rob Patterson, a 65-year-old retired electrical engineer, attended a gathering in Crawford carrying a sign depicting Musk performing a stiff-armed salute.

"Oi wanker, our Supreme Court is not for sale," the sign read.

After purchasing a $277 million position in Trump's presidential campaign last year, the head of Tesla and SpaceX has amassed unparalleled influence as a non-elected official.

Once Trump returned to the White House he invited his sponsor to head a new cost-cutting agency named after an internet meme: the Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE.

Within mere weeks, Musk has swiftly dismissed or placed on hold the employment of tens of thousands of federal employees, slashed foreign aid funding, and commenced the process of dissolving multiple government agencies.

"He acts like a bull in a china shop; completely clueless about what he’s doing," lamented Patterson.

Outside a grocery store in Elkhorn, 70-year-old retired primary school educator Linda Suskey states her intention to cast her ballot for Crawford to maintain equilibrium in the judiciary.

Moreover, she doesn't have much patience for Musk's persuasions.

"He uses his money to get what he wants, which is more money," she told AFP.

I believe he has far too much authority, and he isn’t accountable to anyone — plus, he’s essentially managing affairs to ensure the wealthy become even wealthier.

These opinions aren't universally held. Wisconsin remains a battleground state for various reasons, and some conservative voters such as 60-year-old Matt Edler view Musk’s DOGE initiatives positively, describing them as “excellent.”

"If Elon Musk was not chosen for this role, anyone else could have taken up the task just as well. However, considering the circumstances, the appointment seems justified," he stated.

'Activist judges'

However, Edler is still uncertain about voting on Tuesday, and he mentioned that he was unaware of Musk’s efforts to assist Schimel in defeating Crawford.

In addition to political contributions to conservatives, Musk has pledged to issue two prize checks worth $1 million each to two voters who participate in the upcoming court election.

This was similar to his strategy during the presidential campaign, where he planned to distribute $1 million daily to voters who registered in crucial swing states pivotal to Trump's win.

Through his political organization, Musk has also offered $100 each to voters who sign his petition against "activist judges" in Wisconsin.

When he launched the petition, Crawford accused him of seeking to buy a seat on the state supreme court in order to swing judgements in favor of his companies.

Tesla has launched a legal challenge to Wisconsin's law banning car automakers from directly owning car dealerships. The case could well end up before the court.