Wisconsin lawmakers reveal what’s at stake in Democrat’s state Supreme Court election

The race for a new jurist on Wisconsin’s Supreme Court between former Wisconsin Attorney General Brad Schimel and circuit court judge Susan Crawford was closely watched by Republicans in the state’s congressional delegation. Despite the lack of political affiliation for both candidates, the match-up drew national attention with billionaires from both sides pouring millions into the race.

Ultimately, Crawford emerged victorious in the election. However, Republicans in Wisconsin did secure a victory in a referendum on enshrining voter ID laws in the state constitution, a cause that the right has long advocated for. Rep. Scott Fitzgerald emphasized the importance of the election, noting that there was a lot at stake for the state.

One key issue that Republicans are concerned about is the possibility of challenges to Wisconsin’s state laws, such as the law that ended most collective bargaining rights for government employees in 2011. Fitzgerald expressed concerns that Democrats may try to challenge the state’s redistricting maps before the next election.

The support for the candidates was split along party lines, with Republicans backing Schimel and Democrats supporting Crawford. Prominent figures like Elon Musk and President Donald Trump supported Schimel, while Crawford received support from liberals like George Soros and Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker.

Republicans criticized out-of-state progressives like Pritzker for trying to influence the outcome of the election in Wisconsin. They highlighted the importance of preserving voter ID measures in the state, which were ultimately enshrined into law by Wisconsin voters.

Crawford, who has not publicly expressed her views on the issues cited by Republicans, has a background of representing groups fighting for abortion rights and against voter ID laws as an attorney. Republicans like Rep. Glenn Grothman expressed concerns about her potential extremism on the Supreme Court.

Rep. Bryan Steil emphasized the importance of safeguarding school choice, upholding parental rights, and preserving voter ID laws in Wisconsin. He urged voters to support Schimel in the election.

While Fox News Digital reached out to Democratic representatives Gwen Moore and Mark Pocan for comment, they did not respond by press time. The race for a new jurist on Wisconsin’s Supreme Court highlighted the deep political divide in the state and the influence of outside money on local elections.