Foreign Dark Money’s Role in Wisconsin Supreme Court Election Revealed

The Wisconsin Supreme Court race has triggered national intrigue, exposing deep concerns over foreign dark money’s sway on American electoral processes.

Key Takeaways

Susan Crawford secured a seat on the Wisconsin Supreme Court, dramatically backed by national Democrats.
The election became exceptionally costly, setting records, with dark money playing a pivotal role.
A foreign-influenced entity, the Sixteen Thirty Fund, contributed significant funds to Susan Crawford’s campaign.
The ideological makeup of the Wisconsin Supreme Court may shift as it tackles divisive issues.
Efforts are underway to regulate foreign monetary influence in U.S. elections.

Dark Money in the Wisconsin Supreme Court Race

Susan Crawford recently triumphed in the contentious Wisconsin Supreme Court race with strong backing from national Democrats. Her victory attracted attention due to substantial financial support from the Sixteen Thirty Fund, a group tied to foreign money. This alliance raises legitimate concerns about electoral integrity, pushing legislative bodies across several states to explore measures against international monetary influences on elections.

ABWT, acting as a voice for left-of-center issues, magnified its influence with $9.1 million to support Crawford. Such immense financial participation underlies the Sixteen Thirty Fund’s foreign linkage, adding layers to ongoing discussions regarding foreign sway in American politics. The implications of this financial backing center on shifting the Wisconsin Supreme Court to more liberal positions amidst significant ideological battles.

A Record-Breaking and Contentious Campaign

Elon Musk’s involvement escalated the election’s complexity, with $25 million spent supporting Judge Brad Schimel, aligning with President Trump. Crawford’s campaign pitted itself against Musk’s influence, emphasizing autonomy and routine judicial processes. This race clinched the title of the most expensive judicial race on record in the U.S., underscoring the intense stakes involved.

In her victory speech, Judge Crawford stated, “Today, Wisconsinites fended off an unprecedented attack on our democracy, our fair elections and our Supreme Court,” she said in her victory speech on Tuesday night. “Wisconsin stood up and said loudly that justice does not have a price. Our courts are not for sale.” Very interesting commentary given the contributions to her own campaign.

Crawford’s pointed rhetoric toward her opponent, Brad Schimel, as “Elon Schimel,” resonated deeply with voters. This distinction highlighted the significant sway of Musk, consequently galvanizing Democratic opposition. Notably, turnout peaked for a spring election—a testament to the heightened public interest given the context.

All the media wants to talk about is @elonmusk but ignore 77% of Susan Crawford’s $$$ comes from out-of-state donors compared to only 15% of Brad Schimel’s donations. The left loves to accuse conservatives of things they do. Schimel’s only promise is to uphold the Constitution! pic.twitter.com/oWe1PGgNEE

— Scott Walker (@ScottWalker) March 31, 2025

Impact on Legislative Action and Judicial Shifts

Amid these developments, Americans for Public Trust raised alarms about foreign-backed entities influencing domestic elections. Marianne Keating of the APT called for regulatory norms to close loopholes that facilitate such influence. These recommendations aim to preserve American electoral integrity and protect the country from biased external control.

With 95% of the votes counted, Crawford led the race by approximately 9 points, indicating a decisive tilt toward a more liberal Supreme Court in Wisconsin as it handles grave matters like congressional maps, abortion regulations, and election laws. Her victory replenishes Democratic momentum opposed to Trump and Musk’s federal strategies, signaling a notable shift post-election.