Hey Everyone! Maggie here. Thanks for tuning in to another article—feels like I’m back in high school (Hi Coach Rick, Mrs. Jones, and Mrs. Hammen, thanks for your support and always being among the first to reply to these newsletters)!
Wisconsin’s spring elections are usually quiet, but the April 1st race for an open state Supreme Court seat could change that. This race could flip the court's balance from liberal to conservative, reversing the shift that came after the 2023 election of Justice Janet Protasiewicz (see Smart Voter - Issue #91).
What’s at stake? This election could decide:
The future of Wisconsin election laws
The future of district boundaries
The future of abortion access
The future of collective bargaining for public employee unions
Two factors make this race unpredictable: First, voter turnout—low turnout could favor the side that mobilizes more voters. Second, despite 83 percent of voters knowing the court’s balance is at stake, many are still unfamiliar with the candidates. 38 percent of registered voters reported they still don’t know enough about Brad Schimel to offer an opinion about him, and 58 percent feel that way about Susan Crawford. With nearly $59 million already spent, this flood of ads and claims is tough to sift through.
If this race is shaping up to be the most crucial election of 2025, what should you know to be fully informed by April 1? Start by watching the only debate between the two candidates from March 12. Then, let’s take a closer look at their platforms.
Susan Crawford
Susan Crawford’s Campaign Website
Susan Crawford’s Top Donors (Top Donor: Democratic Party of Wisconsin - $2,000,000)
Susan Crawford’s Notable Endorsements (Susan Crawford’s indorsements include the four sitting liberal Wisconsin Supreme Court justices—Ann Walsh Bradley, Rebecca Dallet, Jill Karofsky, and Janet Protasiewicz—have endorsed Judge Susan Crawford, along with Democratic U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin.)
Brad Schimel
Brad Schimel's Campaign Website
Brad Schimel’s Top Donors (Top Donor: Republican Party of Wisconsin - $1,675,000)
Brad Schimel’s Notable Endorsements (Brad Schimel's endorsements include several law enforcement organizations, such as the Waukesha County Police Chiefs Association, Milwaukee Police Association, and Wisconsin Fraternal Order of Police.)
Helpful Links
Upcoming Election Days
Spring Election: April 1