MADISON, Wis. — Susan Crawford will be the next justice on the Wisconsin Supreme Court, according to a projection from NBC News.
Crawford defeated Brad Schimel in the high-stakes election, giving liberals continued control of Wisconsin’s highest court as it prepares to rule on cases involving abortion and reproductive rights, public sector unions, voting rules, and congressional district boundaries.
Watch Susan Crawford's victory speech:
This year’s race became a proxy battle over national politics, with Donald Trump and Elon Musk backing Brad Schimel, the Republican-endorsed candidate in a race that is officially nonpartisan.
Watch: Brad Schimel concedes Supreme Court race:
It also served as an early litmus test in a key swing state just months into President Donald Trump’s second term.
Record spending
Crawford won decisively in a race that saw about $100 million in spending, including over $21 million from Musk and affiliated groups, according to AP. Democratic billionaires backed Crawford, with George Soros donating $2 million and Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker contributing $1.5 million.
Those supporting Schimel spent $8 million more than Crawford's backers, based on a tally by the Brennan Center for Justice. Musk and his affiliated groups also paid three individual voters $1 million each for signing a petition, aiming to boost turnout in the pivotal battleground state contest.
Control of the Wisconsin Supreme Court
Crawford's win gives liberal justices majority control of the Wisconsin Supreme Court, which will rule on major issues including abortion rights, collective bargaining, and voter access.
The court is also likely to weigh in on challenges to the state’s congressional maps—rulings that could have significant implications for the 2026 midterms and 2028 presidential election. A dramatic redrawing of Wisconsin’s districts could shift the balance of power in Washington.
Meanwhile, a challenge to an 1849 law that bans nearly all abortions in the state is pending before the court.
Susan Crawford
Crawford has previously worked as a prosecutor, private-practice attorney, and now serves as a judge on Dane County Circuit Court Branch 1.
Her career began as an assistant attorney general with the Wisconsin Department of Justice. After nearly a decade as a prosecutor, she continued her public service in leadership roles at several state agencies, including the Department of Corrections and the Department of Natural Resources. She was later named chief legal counsel to the governor, according to her campaign website.
After her time in state government, Judge Crawford entered private practice, where she protected voting and workers’ rights and represented Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin to defend access to reproductive health care, according to her website.
She grew up in Chippewa Falls. She and her husband, Shawn, chose to raise their family in Wisconsin as well. They now live in Madison and are proud parents of two young adults.
Brad Schimel
Schimel previously served as a prosecutor and as Wisconsin’s attorney general. He now serves as a Waukesha County Circuit Court judge.
As a prosecutor, Schimel earned a reputation for being tough and relentless in his pursuit of justice, according to his campaign website.
During his time as attorney general—often referred to as the state’s “top cop”—he supported law enforcement and addressed some of Wisconsin’s most pressing criminal justice issues.
He also implemented reforms to combat drug abuse, elder exploitation and threats to children’s safety. Notably, he launched a program to address a long-neglected backlog of rape kits, aiming to provide victims with closure and clear years of evidence, according to his website.
Schimel and his wife, Sandi, are the proud parents of two adopted daughters.
The Associated Press contributed to this article.
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