Wisconsin Democrats Target Elon Musk in Supreme Court Election Campaign

Wisconsin Democrats have initiated a vigorous campaign titled The People v. Musk, focusing on Elon Musk’s influence in the upcoming Wisconsin Supreme Court election. This multi-faceted campaign, featuring digital ads, organizing, and town halls, aims to connect Musk with conservative candidate Brad Schimel, portraying Schimel as potentially subservient to Musk’s interests.

Democrats are emphasizing the election’s importance on April 1, which will decide the court’s partisan balance. They believe that highlighting Musk’s actions, such as reducing federal programs and employment, could mobilize voters. Representative Mark Pocan (D-Wis.) expressed concerns about Musk’s impact on the middle class and federal services, suggesting that this could negatively influence voter sentiment.

The campaign against Musk includes a new 30-second advertisement claiming that Musk sees Schimel as manipulable and a threat to judicial checks and balances. Musk himself has actively supported Schimel, with his group, America PAC, contributing $4.3 million to the cause. Another Musk-funded group, Building America’s Future, is also financially opposing Schimel’s rival, Susan Crawford.

Ben Wikler, chair of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin, has been vocal about the strategy to counteract Musk’s influence in the state’s judicial politics. He highlighted the potential for increased Democratic turnout if voters are aware of Musk’s significant financial support for Schimel.

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On the other side, Schimel’s campaign has accused the Democrats of hypocrisy, pointing to Crawford’s alleged involvement in fundraising discussions with out-of-state donors. Schimel’s spokesperson, Jacob Fischer, criticized Crawford for her connections with what he termed “radical billionaires.”

Democrats across other states are also beginning to use Musk as a focal point in their campaigns, indicating a broader strategy to leverage his controversial actions and statements for political gain. Figures like former Rep. Abigail Spanberger (D-Va.) and JoAnna Mendoza have criticized Musk’s federal policies and ethical standing.

A recent Marquette Law Poll shows mixed feelings about Musk among voters, with a slight majority viewing him unfavorably. This sentiment extends to both the state Democratic and GOP parties, which both have higher unfavorable than favorable ratings.

Despite Republican criticisms of desperation and deflection, Democrats believe focusing on Musk could energize their base and attract moderate voters who are disillusioned with current conservative policies linked to Musk and his associates.

As the election approaches, the effectiveness of this strategy remains to be seen, with both parties keenly aware of the potential impact of Musk’s involvement on voter turnout and preferences.