Record turnout and a backlash against Trump and Elon Musk, who had largely hijacked the campaign, played a role.

The Democratic-backed candidate for Wisconsin Supreme Court defeated a challenger endorsed by President Donald Trump and Elon Musk.

Judge Susan Crawford won a hotly contested Wisconsin Supreme Court election Tuesday, scoring a crucial victory for Democrats in what became the most expensive court race in U.S. history. Why it matters: Crawford's decisive win preserves the state high court's liberal majority and sends a powerful rebuke to President Trump and the MAGA movement ahead of the 2026 midterms.

The liberal prevailed in a technically nonpartisan Wisconsin State Supreme Court race that took on national importance. Voter turnout is an indication that Americans remain deeply engaged in the electoral process.

State analyst Mike Wagner said Susan Crawford being elected to Wisconsin's state Supreme Court on Tuesday (April 1), maintaining the court's 4-3 liberal majority, was widely seen as an early referendum on Donald Trump's presidency.

Republican-backed Brad Schimel concedes a Wisconsin Supreme Court race to Susan Crawford in an election that broke records for spending.

Wisconsin voters elected liberal Dane County Judge Susan Crawford in a high-stakes race Tuesday for a seat on the state Supreme Court. Unofficial results reported Crawford receive

Following the most expensive judicial election in US history, Susan Crawford defeated her conservative rival Brad Schimel. Crawford's victory keeps intact the 4-3 liberal control of Wisconsin's highest court.

Several Wisconsin counties that voted for Donald Trump in 2024 flipped for Susan Crawford in a race seen as a referendum on Trump's second term.