Frederica Freyberg:
The most expensive state Supreme Court race in U.S. history results in a blowout win for Susan Crawford. Unofficial results show the liberal candidate, Crawford, defeated conservative Brad Schimel by ten points and the 2.3 million total votes cast equals a 50% turnout rate, both of which are records for a Supreme Court election in Wisconsin. “Here & Now” senior political reporter Zac Schultz was with Crawford on election night and has the story.

Susan Crawford:
All right, Wisconsin, we did it.

Zac Schultz:
Susan Crawford’s election night event turned into a victory party a lot earlier in the evening than anyone expected. As the polls closed at 8:00, supporters were preparing for a long night and were caught off guard as national election observers started calling the race for Crawford. Soon enough, retiring Supreme Court Justice Ann Walsh Bradley came to the stage to announce Crawford had won her seat on the court.

Ann Walsh Bradley:
Justice-elect, the future of the Wisconsin Supreme Court, Susan Crawford.

Zac Schultz:
She took the stage with the rest of the liberals, showing this election was not just about one seat, but securing a liberal majority on the court for at least the next three years.

Susan Crawford:
Today, Wisconsinites fended off an unprecedented attack on our democracy, our fair elections and our Supreme Court and Wisconsin’s stood up and said loudly that justice does not have a price. Our courts are not for sale.

Brad Schimel:
The numbers aren’t going to — aren’t going to turn around. They’re too bad and we’re not going to pull this off.

Zac Schultz:
In Pewaukee, Brad Schimel had planned for his band to play a much longer set list, but had to cut it off early to tell his supporters it was over.

Brad Schimel:
I’ve called Judge Crawford and conceded.

Crowd:
No, no.

Brad Schimel:
No, no, no, no. You got to accept the results.

Zac Schultz:
In the closing weeks, the race had spiraled beyond the typical Wisconsin Supreme Court election. With $100 million in spending, the race became nationalized and Wisconsin voters were being asked to elect a justice and deliver a referendum on Donald Trump, all while Elon Musk wore a cheesehead and handed out million-dollar checks.

Susan Crawford:
I never could have imagined that I’d be taking on the richest man in the world for justice in Wisconsin, and we won.

Zac Schultz:
Musk’s spending certainly boosted conservative turnout, but it also boosted liberal turnout.

Ana Wilson:
I think a lot of it has to do with Brad Schimel and with him kind of being with Elon Musk and the whole, you know, backed up by billionaires thing. I think, I think a lot of people were like, you know, Elon Musk doesn’t deserve to be in Wisconsin politics.

Zac Schultz:
With the majority secured, liberal advocates are expected to push cases that would overturn Act 10 and redraw the lines for Wisconsin’s congressional delegation.

Susan Crawford:
I look forward to working with my colleagues on the Wisconsin Supreme Court to deliver fair and impartial decisions.

Zac Schultz:
Not all her colleagues are ready to welcome her with open arms. Justice Rebecca Bradley is the most outspoken of the conservative minority and up for re-election next April.

Rebecca Bradley:
I think with Judge Crawford’s win, we’re going to see a continued politicization of the judiciary. And unfortunately, over the last couple of terms, my four liberal colleagues have ruled uniformly with the Democratic Party, which is why you saw all this money come in.

Zac Schultz:
Crawford will take the bench in August to start her ten-year term.

Susan Crawford:
Together, we will confront and overcome the challenges we face as our state’s motto says, everybody…

Crowd:
Forward!

Susan Crawford:
Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Wisconsin, I am forever grateful. Thank you.

Zac Schultz:
Reporting from Madison, I’m Zac Schultz for “Here & Now.”