Crawford Wins Costliest U.S. Judicial Race

In a pivotal Wisconsin Supreme Court race, liberal judge Susan Crawford defeated conservative Brad Schimel, despite unprecedented financial backing from Elon Musk and Trump-aligned figures. The election, which was the most expensive judicial race in U.S. history, saw over $90 million in spending, with Musk contributing at least $19.3 million in support of Schimel. Crawford's victory ensures the court retains its 4-3 liberal majority, which could influence key issues like abortion rights and collective bargaining. The outcome is seen as a blow to Musk, who had hoped the court would redraw voting districts favorably for Republicans. This defeat adds to Musk's challenges, as Tesla's stock has also suffered significant losses since Trump's inauguration. This result underscores the volatile political climate and the ongoing debate over the influence of big money in judicial elections.