Exclusive: Wisconsin Supreme Court Candidate Brad Schimel Blasted "Tech Billionaires" for Buying Elections. Now Elon Musk Is Bankrolling His Campaign
Headlines:
Exclusive: Wisconsin Supreme Court Candidate Brad Schimel Blasted "Tech Billionaires" for Buying Elections. Now Elon Musk Is Bankrolling His Campaign.
“Not on My Watch”: Schimel Warned of Outsider Cash in 2024 - he's now backed by Elon Musk
Schimel’s Hypocrisy on Display: Newly Uncovered Video Exposes Double Standard on Billionaire Outside Funding in Elections
Lede:
Wisconsin Supreme Court candidate Brad Schimel denounced outside influence in judicial elections at a private donor event last year, calling it “embarrassing” that “tech billionaires from California plunked millions, tens of millions of dollars into this race.” Schimel also made a bold pledge: “No money from California or New York or anywhere else is going to buy Wisconsin.” A recording of Schimel’s remarks at the event was obtained by Source Code. Today, Schimel is benefiting from millions in outside spending — much of it from groups backed by Elon Musk.
Key quote:
Brad Schimel: “Last April, the Supreme Court race in Wisconsin was the most expensive race in American history, not just Wisconsin. That's embarrassing, by the way. Yeah, it's embarrassing because what happened is tech billionaires from California plunked millions, tens of millions of dollars into this race. And by the way, the Democratic Party transferred nearly $10 million to the one who won last April directly. And that money came from outside Wisconsin. The vast majority of her money came from outside the state of Wisconsin. So apparently you can buy the Supreme Court in Wisconsin. Not on my watch. I'm in this race now. In April of 25, you're not buying this race. I'm going to earn this race. I'll outwork anybody who gets into it. No money from California or New York or anywhere else is going to buy Wisconsin. We're going to win this back.”
Speaking at the North Shore Republicans Lincoln Day Dinner, January 23, 2024.
Why this matters:
The Wisconsin Supreme Court race is shaping up to be the most expensive judicial election in U.S. history, with outside money playing an outsized role. Groups backed by Elon Musk, including America PAC and Building America’s Future, have poured at least $16.3 million into boosting Brad Schimel’s campaign, including $4.8 million on TV ads attacking his Democratic opponent, Susan Crawford. Musk sent an additional $3 million to the state Republican Party, bringing his total spending in the race to at least $19.3 million. Building America’s Future has also been running deceptive Facebook ads through a front group it created, called Progress 2028. According to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, the group is paying for “fake digital ads and text messages that are supposedly promoting liberal Supreme Court candidate Susan Crawford by tying her to unpopular or controversial political positions or groups."
Musk’s interests in the outcome of the election are no secret. Tesla is suing the state of Wisconsin over restrictions blocking it from opening dealerships, a case that could ultimately land before the Wisconsin Supreme Court. With the court’s 4-3 liberal majority on the line, the election could also shape the future of abortion access, redistricting and other election laws, and labor rights.
Schimel has dismissed concerns about Musk’s involvement by saying, “There is no outside influence.” He added, “I’m grateful for our supporters, but they’re getting nothing except me following the law.” Schimel struck a notably different tone nearly a year ago when he promised supporters, "No money from California or New York or anywhere else is going to buy Wisconsin. We're going to win this back.”
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