Elon Musk is once again shaking up the political landscape—this time with a controversial movementin Wisconsin’s Supreme Court race. The billionaire entrepreneur and his Musk-backed super PAC, America PAC, are offering voters cold, hard cash in exchange for signing a petition opposing what they call “activist judges.”
The group made the announcement on X (formerly Twitter) on Thursday, promising $100 to anyone who signs its “Petition in Opposition to Activist Judges.” The petition reads, “Judges should interpret laws as written, not rewrite them to fit their personal or political agendas. By signing below, I’m rejecting the actions of activist judges who impose their own views and demanding a judiciary that respects its role—interpreting, not legislating.” While supporters view this as a rallying cry for judicial integrity, critics are calling it out as a blatant attempt to buy votes.
A Repeat Tactic?
If this strategy sounds familiar, that’s because it is. Musk and America PAC have pulled off similar stunts before. Just before the last presidential election, the super PAC offered $47 to anyone who could persuade a registered voter to sign a petition in favor of free speech and gun rights. That move sparked legal battles, with the Philadelphia district attorney filing a lawsuit. However, a Pennsylvania judge ultimately declined to intervene.
Now, this tactic is being used again—but the stakes are even higher. The outcome of Wisconsin’s Supreme Court race could significantly influence state laws and set a precedent for future elections.
The Battle for Wisconsin’s Supreme Court
The high-stakes judicial race features former state Attorney General Brad Schimel, a Republican-backed candidate, and Susan Crawford, a Democrat-backed judge from Dane County. Crawford, known for representing Planned Parenthood and other liberal clients, has come out swinging against Musk’s financial involvement in the race.
“Elon Musk has now resorted to trying to buy votes because he wants Schimel to rule in favor of his company’s lawsuit,” Crawford said in a fiery statement on X. “Wisconsinites don’t want a slimy billionaire like Musk or a corrupt politician like Schimel controlling the Supreme Court.”
Schimel, on the other hand, has largely remained quiet about Musk’s financial backing, instead focusing on his campaign message of “restoring balance” to the judiciary.
The Tesla Connection
Musk’s involvement in the Wisconsin Supreme Court race isn’t just about conservative judicial philosophy—it’s also about business. Earlier this year, Tesla filed a lawsuit in Wisconsin challenging a long-standing state law that prevents the company from opening direct-to-consumer dealerships. With millions in play, a favorable ruling could help Tesla circumvent dealership laws not just in Wisconsin but in other states with similar restrictions.
According to the Associated Press, America PAC and another Musk-backed organization, Building America’s Future, have already poured more than $13 million into the race—an astronomical figure for a state Supreme Court election.
Democrats Fire Back
Recognizing Musk’s growing influence in the race, Wisconsin Democrats have launched a wave of attacks against the billionaire.
“Democrats are furious about Musk, and independents are increasingly freaked out about the way that Musk is attacking things like Social Security and childhood brain cancer research,” Ben Wikler, chair of the state Democratic Party, told Politico.
The Democratic Party’s first anti-Musk ad campaign appears to be having an impact. Internal polling shows that their messaging moved likely 2025 voters by 6.2 percentage points. With momentum building, Democrats are doubling down on their efforts to tie Schimel’s candidacy to Musk’s political agenda.
The Bigger Picture
This election is happening just two years after progressives managed to flip the state Supreme Court by electing liberal justice Janet Protasiewicz. That victory gave Democrats a much-needed majority, allowing them to influence major rulings on election laws, abortion rights, and gerrymandering.
A Schimel win, however, could shift the balance of power once again—something conservatives are eager to achieve. With Musk’s financial backing, they see an opportunity to turn the tide and regain control of a court that could decide key legal battles for years to come.
A New Era of Political Influence?
Musk’s actions in Wisconsin highlight a growing trend in American politics—billionaire-backed super PACs wielding immense influence over elections. While PACs have always played a role in campaigns, direct cash incentives for voter participation take things to a whole new level.
The ethical concerns surrounding Musk’s involvement raise an important question: When does political influence cross the line into outright manipulation? Critics argue that paying voters—even under the guise of a petition—is a slippery slope that undermines the democratic process. Supporters, on the other hand, see it as an innovative way to engage conservative voters who might otherwise stay home.
What’s Next?
As election day approaches, expect to see even more money pouring into Wisconsin’s Supreme Court race. Musk’s influence has turned what might have been a routine judicial contest into a national spectacle. Whether his efforts will pay off remains to be seen, but one thing is certain—this race is shaping up to be one of the most expensive and controversial judicial elections in U.S. history.
For now, all eyes are on Wisconsin, where voters will soon decide not just the fate of their Supreme Court, but perhaps the future of billionaire-backed political activism as well.
Will the cash-for-petition strategy work? Or will the backlash against Musk be enough to tip the scales in Crawford’s favor? Either way, this race is far from over, and the final outcome could have ripple effects far beyond the state’s borders.
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