OCONOMOWOC, Wis. — As the countdown to Wisconsin's April 1 spring election continues, the battle for the state Supreme Court is intensifying. With national figures making their presence felt and substantial funding pouring in, Republican-backed candidate Brad Schimel is under the spotlight thanks to a recent rally headlined by Donald Trump Jr.
The event, held at The Dockhaus in Oconomowoc on March 17, 2025, featured Trump Jr. and right-wing provocateur Charlie Kirk. Trump Jr. emphasized that a win in this high-stakes Supreme Court race is crucial for maintaining momentum for the GOP ahead of the 2026 midterms and the subsequent presidential election. “They can’t just show up when [Trump] happens to be on the top of that ticket,” Trump Jr. told party supporters. “You have to engage because it’s not just about now, it’s about that future.”
With the ideological balance of the state's high court precariously tilted, both candidates are aware of the stakes involved. The upcoming election will determine whether conservative or progressive justices control the court, potentially influencing pivotal issues such as abortion rights, voting laws, and even congressional district boundaries.
Prior to the rally, Hilario Deleon, chair of the Republican Party of Milwaukee County, affirmed the urgency of the election. "If liberal-leaning justices hold on to the power they’ve had since 2023, the state’s voter ID law could be rolled back," he warned. The implications of this election could reverberate for years, not just in Wisconsin but throughout the political landscape.
For his part, Schimel, a former state attorney general and Waukesha County judge, is keenly aware of the grassroots support crucial to his campaign. “I’ve been running all around this state for almost 16 months now and we’re seeing the results of that,” Schimel said at the rally, where he sought to galvanize his supporters with a rallying cry for voter turnout. “When people turn out in numbers like this, it’s showing that it works,” he added, highlighting the active efforts of volunteers who've been canvassing neighborhoods and promoting his campaign.
However, the Democratic opposition is formidable. Incoming events feature high-profile figures like Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, who plans to host an anti-Musk town hall to spotlight John Musk’s financial influence in this race. On the same night as Trump's son’s Oconomowoc appearance, democratic Nathan Crawford’s camp plans press conferences to promote her agenda. Joe Oslund, communications director for the Democratic Party of Wisconsin, leveled critiques at Schimel’s connections, stating, “Days after mugging for the camera in front of a gigantic inflatable Donald Trump, Brad Schimel is rushing to share the stage with the junior-sized version, making clear there is no embarrassment he won’t bear to capture a seat on the Wisconsin Supreme Court for Trump and Elon Musk.”
The judicial race has quickly become a national point of interest. It is reported to be the most expensive judicial election in the country’s history, drawing in over $11 million from various political action committees and influential backers, including billionaire Elon Musk. Both Democratic figures like George Soros and conservative benefactors are pouring resources into the campaign.
Furthermore, the Democratic National Committee has made their intentions clear by ramping up a coordinated campaign for Crawford. With a strategy to host 12 text and phone banks, the DNC is mobilizing thousands of volunteers to deter Musk’s influence on the election. DNC Chair Ken Martin insisted that the best way to mitigate Musk's financial sway is through grassroots efforts, engaging with voters directly. "After what I heard on the ground, we’re investing earlier than ever before," he explained.
As the race heats up, campaign messaging has become increasingly polarized. With both sides ramping up discussions against the respective candidates, Kirk emphasized that the push is not to persuade or sway the middle ground but to energize loyal Republican voters ahead of the April 1 election. “It is about driving Trump voters and Republican voters out to the polls,” he said to the audience, underscoring the importance of turnout in a spring election traditionally characterized by lower voter engagement.
The contest has drawn attention not just for its financial stakes but also for what it represents in the broader context. The victor of this election will serve a ten-year term in a judicial position that influences the future direction of Wisconsin law and governance.
The significance of the election cannot be understated; Wisconsinites understand that their choices could affect decisions regarding critical issues ranging from labor rights to health care access. Should Crawford win, the state court’s liberal majority would remain intact, but if Schimel prevails, conservatives could gain pivotal control.
Every day leading up to the election is seeing more activity, as early voting began on March 18—just days after these recent high-profile appearances. Political observers and citizens alike are focused on how this race could forecast voter sentiment leading into upcoming elections in 2025 and the midterm elections in 2026.
As the dust and debate continue to swirl around the candidates and their backers, both sides are keenly aware that every vote matters in what’s shaping up to be an election that could tip the scales once more in the politically charged landscape of Wisconsin—an election that could see history made on April 1, 2025.
