AG files last-minute appeal to block Musk from gifting $2 million to voters in high-stakes WI court race

Wisconsin Attorney General Joshua Kaul has filed a last-minute appeal to the state Supreme Court in an effort to prevent billionaire Elon Musk from giving $1 million checks to two individuals at a rally for Wisconsin Supreme Court candidate Brad Schimel. This move comes days after an appellate court denied Kaul’s initial request for an emergency injunction.

The upcoming race between Schimel, a Republican former state attorney general, and liberal jurist Susan Crawford has garnered national attention. Musk, a strong supporter of Schimel, has contributed millions of dollars to his campaign. Kaul argues that Musk’s giveaway violates state election laws and points to a similar incident in Pennsylvania during the 2024 presidential election.

In his appeal to the Supreme Court, Kaul is seeking an injunction to prevent Musk from promoting the giveaway at the planned event on Sunday evening. He claims that the offer of $1 million to Wisconsin electors in exchange for their votes is a violation of state statute. Kaul argues that the emergency nature of his request justifies swift action from the court.

Musk has responded to the controversy by stating that the giveaway is limited to those who have signed a petition in opposition to activist judges. He maintains that the checks are meant to be given to spokesmen for the petition. However, Democratic Party Chairman Ben Wikler has accused Musk of attempting to cover up evidence of his alleged crime.

The outcome of the Wisconsin Supreme Court race could have far-reaching implications, with both sides acknowledging the stakes. Supporters of Schimel have raised concerns that a victory for Crawford could lead to redistricting that targets Republican congressmen in the state. This has led to speculation that the race could impact future election cycles in Wisconsin.

As the race heats up, it remains to be seen how the Supreme Court will rule on Kaul’s appeal and whether Musk’s controversial giveaway will proceed as planned. The national spotlight on this local election underscores the importance of judicial races in shaping the political landscape.