Elon Musk invests millions to sway Wisconsin Supreme Court race
- Brad Schimel is challenging Janet Protasiewicz for a seat on the Wisconsin Supreme Court, which currently has a liberal majority.
- Elon Musk is supporting Schimel by donating over $10 million to his campaign through aligned political action committees.
- The election outcome could reshape healthcare and reproductive rights in Wisconsin, affecting millions of residents.
In Wisconsin, significant political maneuvering is taking place due to the upcoming Supreme Court election. The current State Supreme Court has a 4-3 liberal majority, but this could change as the election approaches. Brad Schimel, a Trump supporter, is running against Janet Protasiewicz, who has held the position for only two years. The race has drawn major spending, with the involvement of prominent billionaire Elon Musk who has directed more than $10 million from his aligned PACs to boost Schimel's campaign and undermine Protasiewicz. Musk’s financial backing aims not only to influence the court's conservative shift but also serves his interests, particularly in relation to issues impacting his companies Tesla and SpaceX. Specifically, the Wisconsin court could play a critical role in a pending case regarding whether Tesla can obtain dealer licenses, as previous requests by the company were denied under state law. A conservative majority could potentially bring about favorable decisions for businesses like Musk’s. In the run-up to the election, multiple advocacy groups have expressed concern over Schimel's policies, particularly regarding healthcare access and reproductive rights. He has been criticized for attempting to dismantle the Affordable Care Act during his time as attorney general, which raises significant alarms in a state where many residents depend on Medicaid. Various healthcare and reproductive rights organizations fear a loss in these areas should Schimel win, as the court is set to rule on controversial issues that could reinforce restrictive laws established prior to the overturning of Roe vs. Wade. The Supreme Court election in Wisconsin is shaping up to be one of the costliest in history, with spending exceeding $45 million earlier in 2023. Reports indicate Musk's spending is significantly impacting the financial landscape of the election, despite Schimel stating that he seeks the endorsement of Wisconsin voters, rather than relying solely on external support. As the debate continues to heat up, many are left to speculate the long-term effects of the court's decisions on healthcare access and other critical social issues within the state, potentially altering the lives of over one million residents reliant on medical assistance.