The Democratic-backed candidate for Wisconsin Supreme Court has won, defeating President Donald Trump’s endorsed challenger.

Record turnout and a backlash against Trump and Elon Musk, who had largely hijacked the campaign, played a role.

In a major judicial victory for Democrats, Susan Crawford has won a seat on the Wisconsin Supreme Court, defeating conservative former Attorney General Brad Schimel in a high-stakes race.

Judge Susan Crawford won a hotly contested Wisconsin Supreme Court election Tuesday, scoring a crucial victory for Democrats in what became the most expensive court race in U.S. history. Why it matters: Crawford's decisive win preserves the state high court's liberal majority and sends a powerful rebuke to President Trump and the MAGA movement ahead of the 2026 midterms.

The Wisconsin Supreme Court race between Susan Crawford and Brad Schimel determined that liberals would control the court's 4-3 majority.

Crawford worked for Democratic Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle and as a partner at Pines Bach, a progressive law firm.

Newly elected Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Susan Crawford, who defeated an opponent endorsed by President Donald Trump, has ties to Iowa.

Crawford described her opponent Brad Schimel as "quite gracious" in his call to her conceding the race Tuesday night.

Susan Crawford beat Brad Schimel in Tuesday's hotly contested Wisconsin State Supreme Court election, which attracted attention and donors both in and outside of the state. Crawford won with 55% of the vote,