The Democratic National Committee is set to make its first major spending move since the 2024 election by donating to the liberal candidate in the Wisconsin Supreme Court race.
The Democratic Party will host phone banks and call more than 2 million Wisconsin voters in support of the liberal candidate, Dane County Judge Susan Crawford, according to ABC News. Crawford will face conservative Brad Schimel, the state’s former attorney general, in the April 1 election.
The DNC’s spending move will be used for on-the-ground operations, which include ground organizing, peer-to-peer texting, and efforts to mobilize thousands of volunteers to help Crawford’s campaign.
The DNC’s move comes on the first day of early voting in Wisconsin, which runs through March 30. Gov. Tim Walz (D-MN) will hold a town hall in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, on Tuesday alongside Wisconsin Democrats.
“With Wisconsin voters up against the world’s richest man, this is an all-hands-on-deck moment and we’re thrilled to have the support of the DNC in this fight,” said Ben Wikler, chairman of the Wisconsin Democratic Party.
The Wisconsin Supreme Court race is expected to bring in tens of millions of dollars. Department of Government Efficiency leader Elon Musk gave millions of dollars to pro-Schimel PACs.
The Musk-linked Building America’s Future PAC has spent over $1.6 million on television ads in the race, and Musk’s America PAC has spent over $6 million on get-out-the-vote efforts and digital media ads.
Other billionaires have donated to Crawford, including Democratic donor George Soros and Gov. JB Pritzker (D-IL).
In 2023, the Wisconsin Supreme Court race became the most expensive judicial race in U.S. history, with a combined $56 million spent. The Brennan Center for Justice said Monday that spending had hit $59 million, with the election still two weeks away.
Justice Janet Protasiewicz beat former Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Daniel Kelly two years ago, giving liberals their first majority in 15 years.
WISCONSIN VOTERS GEAR UP FOR ANOTHER HIGH-STAKES STATE SUPREME COURT RACE
The 2025 Wisconsin Supreme Court race could tip the court’s leanings. If Schimel wins next month, conservatives would win back control of the high court. Should Crawford win, liberal-leaning justices would retain control until at least 2028.
Two conservative justices are set to be on the ballot for reelection in 2026 and 2027.