Elon Musk pours money into right-wing judge’s Wisconsin Supreme Court candidacy

Plus, Minnesota Republican Justin Eichorn resigns after underage prostitution scandal. 

As Wisconsin’s April 1 Supreme Court election looms, tech billionaire and close Trump ally Elon Musk has funneled $13 million in campaign funds to the conservative candidate, Brad Schimel. Schimel, the state’s one-time attorney general under former Gov. Scott Walker (R), has received the lion's share — some $36 million — of the $66 million spent on the race. 

And Musk has since ramped up his efforts. His America PAC is now offering $100 to Wisconsin voters who endorse a petition railing against “activist judges who impose their own views.” Musk may be financially incentivized to impact the court’s leanings: Tesla is currently suing Wisconsin because state law prevents vehicle manufacturers from opening car dealerships. 

Campaign finance experts predict that $100 million will be spent before ballots are cast, making it the most expensive court race in American history. That’s double the amount spent on the previous record holder, the 2023 Wisconsin Supreme Court election. 

The outcome of this election carries heavy implications for abortion rights in the Badger State. 

Schimel’s opponent, Susan Crawford, is a liberal, and whoever comes out victorious will tilt the court's ideological balance. Upon assuming office, the newest judge would help decide two key cases: One concerning Planned Parenthood’s ability to provide reproductive health care in the state, and another on whether or not to strike down an antiquated 1849 law that anti-abortion activists claim should come into effect following the overturning of Roe v. Wade. The 1849 abortion ban contains no exceptions for rape or incest. 

Schimel has attempted to distance himself from appearing too anti-abortion. In a March debate with Crawford, he stated that on the question of reproductive rights, “No judge or justice should be deciding this issue for the voters of Wisconsin. This issue belongs in their hands.”

However, Schimel has a long record of backing anti-abortion politics. While running for attorney general, he was quoted as saying that he thought “that life begins at conception.” 

More recently, Schimel stated, “There is not a constitutional right to abortion in our State Constitution. That will be a sham if they find that.” Additionally, he has been endorsed by staunch “pro-life” groups like Pro-Life Wisconsin and Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America’s Women Speak Out PAC. 

Such obfuscations are part of a broader effort by Schimel’s campaign to downplay his hard-right views. Despite claiming that he will “never prejudge a case and will never put my views above the law,” Schimel’s website suggests otherwise. 

“If the left wins in April they will … eliminate school choice … overturn Right to Work, remove voter ID… [and] force biological males into girls’ bathrooms,” a text labeled “Facts” reads. 

Minnesota state Sen. Justin Eichorn (R-Grand Rapids) has sent his letter of resignation to Gov. Tim Walz (DFL) after an arrest and charges of soliciting a minor for prostitution.

Eichorn’s resignation was confirmed on Thursday in a statement from Senate Republican Leader Mark Johnson (R-East Grand Forks), who called for his colleague’s resignation on Tuesday. Both Republicans and Democrats were prepared to vote to expel him during Thursday’s Senate session if he hadn’t resigned by then.

“This is the right thing to do for his family and the Senate,” Johnson said. “We are ready to move on and do the important work that needs to be done at the Capitol.”

Eichorn was arrested on Monday night by the Bloomington Police Department after the 40-year-old was caught in a sting operation. Eichorn, who is the father of four children, reportedly thought he was communicating and planning to meet a 17-year-old girl.

Eichorn was first elected to the Minnesota state Senate in 2016. On the same day he was arrested, Eichorn was one of five Republican authors to help introduce Senate File 2589, a bill that would designate “Trump Derangement Syndrome” as an officially recognized mental illness in the state of Minnesota. Johnson called the bill “tongue in cheek” on Tuesday.

Johnson told the media after Thursday’s session that a special election will be coordinated with Walz’s office to fill the vacancy left by Eichorn’s resignation.