Who Won Wisconsin Supreme Court: What Actually Happened in the Most Expensive Race Ever

It was late on the night of April 1, 2025, when the cheers finally erupted in Madison. Susan Crawford, a Dane County judge with deep ties to the state's legal battles over labor and abortion, had officially locked it down. She defeated Brad Schimel, the former Republican Attorney General, in a race that basically felt more like a presidential campaign than a judicial contest.

If you're asking who won Wisconsin Supreme Court, the answer is Susan Crawford. But the "how" and "why" are where things get wild. We aren't just talking about a seat on a bench; we're talking about a 10-year term that cemented a liberal majority in one of the most politically divided states in the country.

The Fight for the 4-3 Majority

Before the first ballot was even cast, the stakes were sky-high. The court was already sitting at a 4-3 liberal majority, thanks to Janet Protasiewicz’s massive win back in 2023. With Justice Ann Walsh Bradley—a long-standing liberal voice—deciding to retire, the seat was wide open.

Basically, if Schimel had won, the court would have flipped back to a conservative majority. Instead, Crawford’s victory ensures that liberals will hold the gavel until at least 2028. That’s a long time in political years.

🔗 Read more: When Does Joe Biden's Term End: What Actually Happened

By the Numbers: How Crawford Won

Crawford didn't just squeak by. She won by roughly 10 percentage points, pulling in 1,301,137 votes to Schimel’s 1,062,330. That’s a 55% to 44.9% split.

Turnout was insane. Over 52% of the voting-age population showed up. To put that in perspective, a "normal" spring judicial election usually sees people yawning their way to the polls, but this time, Wisconsinites treated it like a playoff game.

Why This Race Broke the Internet (and the Bank)

Honestly, the money involved was staggering. Total spending blew past the $100 million mark. You've probably heard about the "Elon Musk factor" by now. The billionaire poured over $21 million into groups backing Schimel. He even showed up in Wisconsin two days before the election to hand out million-dollar checks to voters.

💡 You might also like: Fire in Idyllwild California: What Most People Get Wrong

On the other side, Crawford had the backing of big names like Barack Obama and Bernie Sanders, plus massive support from groups like Planned Parenthood and various labor unions. It became a proxy war. National donors saw Wisconsin as the ultimate testing ground for 2026 and beyond.

Key Issues That Moved the Needle

• Abortion Rights: Crawford leaned hard into her history of representing Planned Parenthood. She made it clear she supports reproductive freedom, which has been a winning issue for Wisconsin liberals for several cycles now.
• The Musk Factor: Paradoxically, Musk's involvement might have backfired. Democratic leaders noted that some independent voters felt like a "pushy billionaire" was trying to buy the court, which drove them straight to Crawford.
• Redistricting: The court recently threw out old legislative maps, and Crawford's win ensures the new, more competitive maps are likely here to stay.

Who Won Wisconsin Supreme Court and What Happens Now?

Susan Crawford was sworn in on August 1, 2025. She’s now part of a 4-3 liberal block that includes Justices Dallet, Karofsky, and Protasiewicz.

What’s on their desk? A lot. They’re looking at cases involving the state's 1849 abortion ban, union collective bargaining rights (specifically Act 10), and potential challenges to election rules. Because these terms last ten years, Crawford is going to be a major player in Wisconsin law well into the 2030s.

📖 Related: Who Is More Likely to Win the Election 2024: What Most People Get Wrong

The 2026 Horizon

Even though the 2025 race is settled, the political machine hasn't stopped. We’re already looking at the April 2026 election. This time, conservative Justice Rebecca Bradley is up for re-election. If a liberal candidate like Chris Taylor wins that seat, the majority could grow to 5-2.

It’s a relentless cycle. But for now, the question of who won Wisconsin Supreme Court has a definitive answer in Crawford, and her win represents a massive shift in the state's judicial landscape.

Actionable Steps for Wisconsin Voters

1. Verify Your Registration: If you're planning to vote in the 2026 judicial primary (usually February) or the general (April), check your status at MyVote Wisconsin.
2. Monitor the Docket: The court’s decisions on Act 10 and abortion will likely drop in the coming months. These aren't just legal theories; they affect local schools and clinics directly.
3. Track the Spending: Watch for new filings from groups like Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce or the ACLU. The 2026 race is already attracting donors who want to either expand or shrink Crawford's influence.

The dust has settled on 2025, but in a state as purple as Wisconsin, the next big fight is always just a few months away.