On April 1, 2025, Wisconsin voters went to the polls in a highly anticipated spring election that captured national attention. This election cycle featured several key races and a significant ballot measure, with outcomes that could shape the state’s political landscape for years to come. From the battle for a Wisconsin Supreme Court seat to the race for State Superintendent of Public Instruction and a constitutional amendment on voter ID requirements, the results reflect the state’s ongoing role as a political battleground. This article provides an in-depth, original analysis of the Wisconsin election results, exploring the context, key players, and implications of the outcomes as of April 2, 2025.
The Wisconsin Supreme Court Race: A National Spotlight
The marquee event of the 2025 spring election was the contest for an open seat on the Wisconsin Supreme Court. This race pitted Susan Crawford, a Dane County Circuit Court judge backed by Democrats, against Brad Schimel, a Waukesha County Circuit Court judge and former Republican Attorney General, supported by President Donald Trump and billionaire Elon Musk. The stakes were high: the winner would replace retiring liberal Justice Ann Walsh Bradley, determining whether the court’s narrow 4-3 liberal majority, secured in 2023, would hold or shift to conservative control.
The election shattered records as the most expensive state judicial race in U.S. history, with total spending estimated at $100 million. This figure doubled the previous record set in Wisconsin’s 2023 Supreme Court election, underscoring the race’s significance. Crawford emerged victorious, securing a 10-year term and preserving the liberal majority. Her win was a setback for Trump and Musk, who had heavily invested in Schimel’s campaign, both financially and through public endorsements.
Crawford’s campaign focused on her record as a fair and impartial judge, emphasizing issues like abortion rights and judicial independence. She positioned herself as a counterweight to what she called “billionaire influence,” particularly targeting Musk’s involvement. Musk, a key Trump adviser, contributed approximately $19 million through direct donations and political action committees (PACs), hosted a rally in Green Bay days before the election, and offered financial incentives to voters who signed a petition opposing “activist judges.” These actions drew legal scrutiny from Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul, though courts ultimately declined to intervene after Musk adjusted his approach.
Schimel, meanwhile, leaned into his conservative credentials and Trump’s endorsement, aiming to energize the Republican base. He pledged to uphold the law as written, distancing himself from claims that external support would sway his rulings. Despite early optimism from conservative circles—reflected in social media posts on X showing Schimel leading with partial returns—Crawford’s strength in urban and liberal-leaning counties like Dane and La Crosse propelled her to victory. With roughly 98% of votes counted, her win was projected by major outlets like NBC News and the Associated Press.
The outcome has far-reaching implications. The Wisconsin Supreme Court is poised to rule on critical issues in its 2025-2026 term, including abortion access (tied to an 1849 law banning nearly all abortions), union rights, and congressional redistricting. Crawford’s victory ensures liberals retain a 4-3 edge, likely influencing these decisions in a progressive direction. It also signals a potential limit to Musk’s political influence, offering Democrats a playbook to counter his financial clout in future elections.
State Superintendent of Public Instruction: A Partisan Proxy
Another significant race on the ballot was for Wisconsin Superintendent of Public Instruction, a position overseeing the state’s public education system. Incumbent Jill Underly, first elected in 2021 and backed by the Wisconsin Democratic Party and teachers’ unions, faced challenger Brittany Kinser, a former principal and special education teacher supported by conservative groups. Though officially nonpartisan, the contest mirrored the ideological divide of the Supreme Court race.
Underly secured a second four-year term, defeating Kinser in a race that gained added weight following President Trump’s December 2024 executive order to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education. Her campaign emphasized maintaining strong public schools and resisting federal overreach, while Kinser advocated for school choice and parental rights—issues resonant with Trump’s education agenda. Underly’s victory, projected by NBC News, reinforces Democratic influence over Wisconsin’s education policy at a time when national debates over education funding and curriculum are intensifying.
Turnout for this race, while overshadowed by the Supreme Court contest, contributed to the election’s high participation. Early voting surpassed 600,000 ballots, and total turnout estimates approached 2.4 million—remarkable for a spring election and nearly 40% higher than the 2023 Supreme Court race. This surge reflects the stakes perceived by voters across both contests.
Voter ID Constitutional Amendment: A Republican Win
Wisconsin voters also decided on a ballot measure to amend the state constitution to require photographic identification for voting, subject to exceptions established by law. This Republican-backed proposal aimed to enshrine an existing voter ID law into the constitution, making it harder for courts or the legislature to repeal. The measure passed, with NBC News and other outlets projecting its approval based on early returns.
Wisconsin already mandates photo ID to vote, so the amendment’s immediate impact is limited. However, its constitutional status now provides a stronger legal shield against future challenges, a priority for conservatives following close presidential elections in 2020 and 2024. Trump celebrated the result on Truth Social, framing it as a victory for election integrity, though he avoided commenting on Schimel’s loss. The amendment’s passage highlights a rare bright spot for Republicans in an otherwise mixed night.
Context and Turnout: Wisconsin as a Battleground
The 2025 spring election unfolded against the backdrop of Wisconsin’s status as a perennial swing state. Trump narrowly won the state in 2024 by 0.86 percentage points over Kamala Harris, reclaiming it after losing to Joe Biden in 2020. The tight margins—coupled with the 2023 Supreme Court race that flipped the court to liberal control—set the stage for intense partisan mobilization in 2025.
Turnout was a key storyline. Election officials reported steady voter streams throughout April 1, with Milwaukee facing ballot shortages due to unexpectedly high participation. The estimated 2.4 million votes cast dwarfed typical off-year elections, approaching midterm levels. This surge was driven by national attention, heavy campaign spending, and polarizing figures like Musk, whose involvement galvanized both supporters and opponents.
Broader Implications: A Mixed Bag with National Echoes
The Wisconsin election results offer a mixed bag for both parties. Democrats celebrated Crawford’s and Underly’s wins as a rejection of Trump and Musk’s influence, with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer calling Crawford’s victory a “decisive message.” The liberal hold on the Supreme Court bolsters progressive hopes for favorable rulings on abortion and voting rights ahead of the 2026 midterms and 2028 presidential race, where Wisconsin will remain pivotal.
Republicans, however, secured the voter ID amendment and maintained their grip on two special congressional elections in Florida held the same day, preserving a slim 220-213 House majority. These wins temper the night’s losses, though Schimel’s defeat—despite Trump’s endorsement and Musk’s millions—raises questions about the effectiveness of their strategy in judicial races.
For Elon Musk, the election marks a high-profile stumble. His $19 million investment and public stances failed to sway voters, and Crawford’s campaign successfully framed him as an out-of-touch billionaire meddling in Wisconsin politics. Democrats may refine this “anti-Musk” narrative for future contests, especially as his role in Trump’s administration grows through the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
Looking Ahead: Wisconsin’s Political Future
The 2025 election results cement Wisconsin’s role as a microcosm of American political divides. The state’s Supreme Court will remain a liberal bastion for at least another year, with elections scheduled annually from 2026 to 2030 that could shift its balance again. Meanwhile, the voter ID amendment and education leadership outcomes signal ongoing partisan trench warfare over voting access and school policy.
As of April 2, 2025, the dust is still settling. Crawford’s victory speech in Madison highlighted her improbable journey “taking on the richest man in the world for justice,” while Schimel conceded gracefully in Pewaukee, acknowledging the electorate’s choice. The results underscore Wisconsin’s volatility: a state where national trends are tested, and local races carry global weight. Whether this election foreshadows broader shifts—or stands as an outlier—will become clearer as the Trump era unfolds and the 2026 midterms approach. For now, Wisconsin remains a proving ground for democracy’s most contentious battles.
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