The Wisconsin Democrats announced Tuesday the launch of “People v. Elon Musk”, a political campaign aimed at pushing back against the billionaire's influence in the state judicial system.
Led by Wisconsin Democratic Party Chair Ben Wikler and U.S. Rep. Gwen Moore, the campaign was described as an seven-figure “investment” to counter what they said is Elon Musk’s attempt to exert power through conservative candidate Brad Schimel’s seat on the Wisconsin Supreme Court.
The Wisconsin Supreme Court race set for April 1 between Schimel and liberal candidate Susan Crawford will decide the future of the court’s 4-3 liberal majority. The People v. Musk campaign aims to keep Schimel from holding a seat on the Supreme Court, which would allow Musk to assert his power within the judicial system, Democrats said.
“Musk knows that by paying for Brad Schimel, he can buy himself a seat on the state's highest court,” Wikler said in the press call.
The Musk-backed conservative nonprofit Building America’s Future has spent $3.2 million on Schimel’s campaign since Feb. 17. Additionally, Musk’s America PAC recently began a new $1 million canvassing campaign backing Schimel.
“Musk is dismantling the protections and services that undergird American life, and he wants total control over the Wisconsin State Supreme Court in order to ensure that there's no check on his power,” Wikler said. “Tuesday, April 1, is an opportunity for us to demonstrate to Elon Musk that Wisconsin is not for sale.”
Years before Roe v. Wade was overturned, Schimel supported leaving in place the 1849 Wisconsin abortion ban, which makes abortions a felony in all cases.
Wikler said Schimel’s extremist stances can help move independent voters and divide Republicans, directing more voters to Crawford.
Schimel previously expressed gratitude for Musk’s support and said Musk’s financial support will not affect any of his decision making on the court.
