Elon Musk’s super PAC, America PAC, is re-entering political campaigns by funding efforts to elect conservative Brad Schimel to the Wisconsin Supreme Court. This marks Musk’s first political spending since the 2024 election. America PAC has already spent $1 million on canvassing operations promoting voter registration. Additionally, a nonprofit supported by Musk, Building America’s Future, commenced a $1.6 million TV campaign for Schimel. The upcoming April 1 election is pivotal, potentially impacting the court’s control over key issues like abortion laws and district lines. Musk aims to counteract liberal influence and plans further involvement in upcoming elections.
Elon Musk’s super PAC is making a comeback.
The largest donor in the 2024 election cycle, Mr. Musk, is re-entering the political arena by financing efforts to support Brad Schimel, the conservative candidate for the Wisconsin Supreme Court. This marks Mr. Musk’s first public political expenditure following Election Day.
According to a recent campaign finance report released on Thursday, America PAC has allocated $1 million towards canvassing initiatives in the state. Flyers circulated in select Wisconsin neighborhoods stated, “President Trump needs you to get out and vote,” along with a link to a website where residents could register and find out how to vote early.
A nonprofit group with historical ties to Mr. Musk, Building America’s Future, has initiated a television campaign exceeding $1.6 million this week to support Judge Schimel, a former state attorney general and current judge in Waukesha County. However, this organization has other significant donors and is not as closely associated with Mr. Musk compared to America PAC, which is predominantly funded by the billionaire.
Wisconsin Supreme Court races are officially nonpartisan; nonetheless, Judge Schimel is backed by the Republican Party of Wisconsin, which is permitted by state law to transfer unlimited funds to his campaign. The Democratic Party of Wisconsin has endorsed the liberal candidate, Susan Crawford. Judge Crawford serves on a court in Dane County, Wisconsin’s most Democratic area, which includes Madison.
The upcoming election on April 1 for a 10-year term on the Wisconsin Supreme Court holds significant importance, more so than any race this year prior to the November governorship elections in New Jersey and Virginia. Presently, the court has a four-to-three liberal majority, but with Justice Ann Walsh Bradley, a liberal member since 1995, retiring, the court’s balance is at stake.
The authority to decide on state abortion laws and legislative as well as congressional district maps will be influenced by which faction gains control of the state high court in the near future.
Earlier this year, Mr. Musk’s electric car company, Tesla, filed a lawsuit against Wisconsin to contest a law prohibiting manufacturers from owning dealerships. Subsequently, Mr. Musk posted on his social media platform, “Very important to vote Republican for the Wisconsin Supreme Court to prevent voting fraud.”
This election is projected to be the most costly judicial battle in U.S. history, surpassing the previous record set by Wisconsin’s last Supreme Court election two years ago, which saw $55 million spent on a race that enabled the election of Justice Janet Protasiewicz, a liberal, and shifted court majority control for the first time in 15 years.
On election night in November, Mr. Musk, who invested nearly $300 million to support Mr. Trump, expressed his commitment to sustaining his super PAC.
“America PAC will continue its operations post-election — gearing up for the midterms and any upcoming elections, while also focusing on district attorney and judicial races,” he stated that night, remarking on George Soros, “Steps need to be taken to address the harm that Soros has inflicted on the American system.” Mr. Musk’s organization plans to make a substantial impact on the midterms and upcoming elections.