Wisconsin Democrats are growing hopeful of winning critical April elections in the state that put President Donald Trump into the White House this year and in 2017.
With early voting beginning today, state and national Democrats are eager to use the race for an open seat on the state Supreme Court to embarrass Trump and adviser Elon Musk who have both invested in the race.
The statewide race is the first since the president’s election and return to the White House where he has embarked on, arguably, the most ambitious presidential agenda ever. Musk has joined Trump as his chief in charge of cutting wasteful spending and draining the swamp.
While Trump has maintained his support, especially from Republicans, a new Wisconsin poll provided to Secrets said that the GOP is losing the Supreme Court race in part because Democrats are motivated to take a slap at the president while Republicans are sitting back and basking in his victory over former Vice President Kamala Harris.
Republican pollster Rick Shaftan said Republican-backed court candidate Brad Schimel is trailing Susan Crawford in a race for the open seat.
“Liberal Supreme Court candidate Susan Crawford has expanded her lead from 12 to 17 points in the last month as her leftist support base solidifies while Schimel’s voters remain unmotivated and demoralized by the weak messageless Schimel campaign,” he said in a memo for Schimel’s campaign last week.
Conservative Supreme Court candidate Brad Schimel (center, front) says he would treat Trump (center, back) like anyone else if the president had a case before the Supreme Court. (Mega MAGA Rally, Sat night) pic.twitter.com/QW6d9SqeRl
— Daniel Bice (@DanielBice) March 16, 2025
“It’s unfortunate that this opportunity to take back the Supreme Court will not be successful,” he warned.
Shaftan’s Neighborhood Research and Media poll found that Crawford’s anti-Trump, anti-Musk message is doing better than Schimel’s focus on crime.
He suggested that Schimel go on offense. “Schimel needs to get off defense, and find issues besides crime to talk about,” said his memo. He also told us, “It can still be won.”
Musk has made the race a test of his influence. It has also drawn the attention of first son Donald Trump Jr., Turning Point chief Charlie Kirk and liberal donor George Soros.
Donald Trump Jr. in Wisconsin tonight campaigning for conservative candidate Brad Schimel in Wisconsin Supreme Court race
In person early voting begins tomorrow ahead of April 1 election https://t.co/5PGbX3NIpy
— Matt Smith (@mattsmith_news) March 18, 2025
The DNC today announced plans to step up support for Crawford and challenge Musk. “When I went to Wisconsin to knock doors last month, folks told me they don’t want billionaires like Elon Musk running our federal government and they certainly don’t want him buying our elections,” said Democratic National Committee Chairman Ken Martin.
SEE THE LATEST POLITICAL NEWS AND BUZZ FROM WASHINGTON SECRETS
Added the Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) group Our Revolution, “The entire country and media are viewing this race as a referendum on Elon Musk.”
Democrats hope that a victory will help in their public relations campaign to claim that support for Trump has peaked. They also want it to show momentum as the gubernatorial races in New Jersey and Virginia kick off.