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Why is the April 1 State Supreme Court election in Wisconsin so crucial? And why is Elon Musk pouring so much money into it? A multi-piece explanation is offered in this State Package

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Mar 05, 2025

Featuring interviews with Judge Susan Crawford and Ben Wikler, both conducted by Jen Rubin. Additional columns by Robert Yablon, Adav Noti, and Ben Wikler.

Judge Susan Crawford and Jen Rubin discuss the critical Wisconsin Supreme Court race

Jennifer Rubin and Judge Susan Crawford

Mar 3

Judge Susan Crawford and Jen Rubin discuss the critical Wisconsin Supreme Court race

On April 1st, Wisconsin residents will vote in a critical judicial election to fill an empty seat on the State Supreme Court. As of last week, Republicans have spent or reserved $13.9 million of television advertising time... (VIDEO)

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A test for judicial independence in Wisconsin

Mar 5

Elon Musk is spending big on the state’s Supreme Court race while expressing contempt for independent courts. That’s a worrisome combination.

By Robert Yablon

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Elon Musk Turns His Eye—and His Wallet—Towards Wisconsin

Mar 5

For a kleptocrat with endless ambition, the Wisconsin Supreme Court election is a bargain buy

By Adav Noti

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Ben Wikler and Jen Rubin in conversation

Jennifer Rubin and Ben Wikler

Feb 28

Ben Wikler and Jen Rubin in conversation

Ben Wikler was elected chair of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin in June of 2019. Since then, he has led the party through a string of historic victories, including Wisconsin’s defeat of Trump in 2020, Governor Evers’ reelection in 2022, and two landmark state Supreme Court wins that delivered a progressive majority to the Court…

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Short-circuiting Democracy

Ben Wikler

Feb 21

Americans who believe in democracy can unite to defeat Elon Musk’s favored candidate—far-right extremist Brad Schimel—by electing Judge Susan Crawford on April 1. Doing so would not only preserve a critical check on Trump and the GOP’s power—it would preserve a path to a Democratic trifecta in Wisconsin and, perhaps most urgently, shatter the Musk/Trump…

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Calling all Wisconsin-based Contrarians! Please send us your images and stories from within the state that will help us share the story of protests, ads, and the human stories that you’ve seen emerge due to Musk’s oversized contribution—or any issues related to shifts you’ve experienced under the Trump-Musk regime.