In what has become one of the most closely watched—and expensive—races in recent memory, two of the world’s most influential billionaires, Elon Musk and George Soros, are sparring in the small but crucial Wisconsin Supreme Court race.

The battle for an open seat on the state’s highest court has turned into a political spectacle, with both billionaires pouring millions of dollars into the contest.

Musk, the tech magnate and ardent supporter of conservative causes, is backing Republican Brad Schimel, while Soros, the financier known for his support of progressive causes, has lent his financial weight to the Democrat Susan Crawford.

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As the race intensifies, it’s clear that this contest is about far more than just a state Supreme Court seat—it’s a microcosm of the broader ideological battle between the right and left, with a staggering amount of money at stake.

The Wisconsin Supreme Court race may seem small compared to presidential elections, but it has become the most expensive judicial race in U.S. history.

More than $73 million has already been spent on the race, with experts predicting that number could exceed $100 million by the time the election is over.

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According to the Brennan Center for Justice, this unprecedented spending is not only a reflection of the high stakes but also a sign of how big money is increasingly flowing into state-level elections. Brendan Glavin, the Director of Insights at Open Secrets, called the amount “astonishing,” underscoring the alarming trend of escalating political spending that is now reaching even local judicial races.

For Musk, who previously spent around $200 million in support of Donald Trump’s presidential campaigns, this is another opportunity to flex his financial muscle in a race that could potentially impact his business interests. Musk’s super PACs, America PAC and Building America’s Future, have poured a combined $20 million into supporting Schimel, the Republican candidate.

Meanwhile, Soros, who has spent billions on liberal causes and candidates, has contributed $1 million to the Wisconsin Democratic Party in support of Crawford, a Dane County Circuit Judge.

At the heart of this battle is the ideological control of the Wisconsin Supreme Court. Currently, liberals hold a 4-3 majority, but this election will decide whether the court remains in liberal hands or swings to a conservative majority. Whoever wins the seat will serve a 10-year term, beginning in August.

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The implications of this race go far beyond the courtroom, as the justices will have the final say on a range of critical issues, including abortion rights, the redrawing of Congressional districts, and voting rules for the 2028 presidential election.

The ideological significance of the race is clear. Schimel has been endorsed by President Donald Trump and is backed by key Republican mega-donors, including Diane Hendricks, the founder of ABC Supply and one of the wealthiest self-made women in America, as well as Elizabeth Uihlein, a GOP donor, and Joe Ricketts, the founder of Ameritrade.

On the other side, Crawford has the support of several high-profile progressive donors, including Soros, Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, and Gloria Page, the mother of Google co-founder Larry Page. With these heavy-hitters on either side, the contest has become a battleground for control over the future direction of the state’s judiciary.

Elon Musk’s involvement in the Wisconsin Supreme Court race has raised eyebrows, especially given the unorthodox approach he has taken. Musk, who typically stays out of direct political involvement, is now on the frontlines, using his platform and wealth to shape the outcome of the election.

What to know about Wisconsin's Supreme Court race

On his social media platform, X (formerly Twitter), Musk announced he would campaign in Wisconsin, even offering to personally hand out million-dollar checks to early voters as an incentive to participate in the election.

Musk later revised his offer after controversy erupted. In a follow-up post, he clarified that the million-dollar checks would be given to two individuals who had signed a petition opposing what he called “activist judges.”

Critics quickly seized on Musk’s public appeal, accusing him of attempting to buy a favorable ruling for his electric car company, Tesla, in a lawsuit currently pending before the Wisconsin Supreme Court.

Tesla is challenging a state law that restricts auto manufacturers from opening their own dealerships, a law that could significantly affect Musk’s business operations in Wisconsin.

While Musk has denied any link between his political donations and the Tesla lawsuit, critics have expressed concern that his financial influence could sway the outcome of cases involving his company. This controversy has only added fuel to the fire in an already heated race.

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On the opposite end of the political spectrum, George Soros has long been a favorite target of right-wing commentators, who portray him as a shadowy figure pulling the strings behind liberal causes.

His financial contributions to progressive movements, particularly in the realm of criminal justice reform, have made him a frequent subject of conspiracy theories.

But in Wisconsin, Soros’s $1 million donation to the state Democratic Party has only deepened the ideological divide.

Crawford has embraced the narrative of “The People v. Musk,” using the tech billionaire’s massive contributions to Schimel’s campaign as a key talking point. She has accused Schimel of being a pawn for the wealthy elite, claiming that Musk’s involvement represents a dangerous form of outside influence in state elections.

The race has thus become a microcosm of the larger cultural and political battles playing out in America, with each side using their billionaire backers as symbols of the forces they are fighting against.

The massive spending in this race is not an isolated incident. It is part of a growing trend in which big-money donors are increasingly flooding state and local elections with millions of dollars in contributions.

Experts warn that the influence of mega-donors like Musk and Soros could undermine the integrity of the democratic process, particularly in lower-level races where citizens are less likely to be engaged or aware of the external forces at play.

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“The concerning part is when you have, especially in state or local races, a flood of national mega-donor money rolling in,” said Glavin of Open Secrets. “Voters have to be concerned about these outside influences and what it means for their elected officials.”

As the race in Wisconsin heads toward its final days, the impact of big-money politics is clearer than ever. With each side pouring tens of millions into the contest, the outcome will have far-reaching consequences for both the state’s judicial future and the broader political landscape.

As Musk and Soros battle it out, it’s a stark reminder of just how much influence money has in modern American politics.

As voters prepare to cast their ballots in what has become the most expensive judicial race in U.S. history, the contest between Musk and Soros is a clear indication of the growing role that billionaires play in shaping elections, even at the state level.

The result of the race will not only determine the future ideological makeup of the Wisconsin Supreme Court but also serve as a bellwether for how political donors will engage in elections moving forward.

Whether it’s Musk’s support for conservative causes or Soros’s backing of liberal candidates, this battle is far from over—and the consequences of this high-stakes showdown will be felt long after the election results are in.