A Wisconsin appeals court rejected an attempt to block Elon Musk from giving $1 million each to two voters who sign a petition against “activist” judges. The payments are part of Musk’s support for conservative state Supreme Court candidate Brad Schimel in a pivotal election that could determine partisan control of the court.
The Center Square reports:
A Wisconsin appeals court on Saturday declined to halt Elon Musk’s plan to give $1 million each to two voters who sign a petition against “activist” judges who have ruled against President Donald Trump’s efforts to cut government spending.
Musk plans the giveaway at a Sunday night rally in Green Bay, Wis., for state Supreme Court candidate Brad Schimel, a conservative Waukesha County judge who faces liberal Dane County Judge Susan Crawford in Tuesday’s pivotal election, which will determine partisan control of the court.
Wisconsin Democrat Attorney General Josh Kaul filed suit Friday in an attempt to block the payments, claiming they were illegal. But a district court judge declined to issue an injunction Friday and the appeals court did as well Saturday.
Musk and President Donald Trump have endorsed Schimel in the Supreme Court race, calling Crawford an “activist” judge.
“Vote for Superjudge Brad Schimel in Wisconsin on Tuesday,” Musk wrote on X Sunday, before the Green Bay rally. “The Republican House majority is razor thin and the Democrats want to redrew Wisconsin districts to flip- the House and stop the government reforms.”
Musk’s post references his and Trump’s efforts to identify and cut what they call wasteful and fraudulent federal government spending, and the fact that Republicans hold a slim, 218-213, majority in the U.S. House with four seats vacant. Many Democrat members of Congress have opposed the cuts.
After Tuesday’s election, the Wisconsin Supreme Court could decide a number of key issues, including challenges to the state’s congressional maps.
The winner between Shimel and Crawford will replace retiring liberal Justice Ann Walsh Bradley. Democrats currently hold a 5-4 advantage on Wisconsin’s highest court.
The Schimel v. Crawford election is the most expensive judicial race in U.S. history, with campaign spending approaching $100 million, according to reports.