Elon Musk’s Political Spending in Wisconsin Fizzles
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Elon Musk’s latest foray into political spending appears to have backfired spectacularly, marking what could potentially be the billionaire’s final major investment in campaigns.
A Prominent Backer Faces a Setback
This week, Musk disclosed his intention to reduce his involvement in political financing as he transitions to concentrating more on his business ventures. This announcement follows the defeat of his favored candidate in Wisconsin’s Supreme Court race, who lost by a significant margin of ten percentage points just seven weeks ago.
In Wisconsin, a crucial swing state, Democrats view Musk’s retreat as validation of their campaign effort dubbed “People vs. Musk,” which they claim succeeded in tarnishing his financial influence. “The people have won,” declared Ben Wikler, chairman of the Wisconsin Democratic Party.
Is Musk’s Political Influence Truly Diminishing?
Brandon Scholz, a veteran Republican strategist in Wisconsin, acknowledged that while Musk’s brand may have taken a hit, his financial resources could still play a role in future elections, especially during critical moments. “Could he carry some baggage? Perhaps,” Scholz noted, adding that perceptions might shift over time.
Historical Spending and High Stakes
In fact, Musk’s financial involvement in the Supreme Court race, which he heavily backed both financially and personally, made it the priciest court election in U.S. history. His commitment came just five months after he infused at least $250 million into supporting Donald Trump’s campaign to regain lost ground in Wisconsin and other battleground states.
A High-Profile Attempt to Influence
In a show of solidarity with his chosen candidate, Musk donned a cheesehead hat—an icon among Green Bay Packers fans—while making a personal appearance in Green Bay before the election. He even distributed $1 million checks to supporters, attempting to galvanize enthusiasm. “It’s a super big deal,” he told the crowd of about 2,000, despite protests occurring outside. “I’m not phoning it in. I’m here in person.”
The Aftermath of Election Defeat
Despite Musk’s robust financial strategy and personal investment, his candidate fell short, losing Brown County—home to Green Bay—by three percentage points, ultimately losing statewide by a margin much larger. Following this defeat, Musk has remained relatively silent about the campaign.
Public opinion toward Musk has also shifted. An Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs poll from two weeks post-election revealed that only 33% of adults viewed him favorably, down from 41% in December.
Musk’s Wider Institutional Role
Simultaneously, Musk served as the controversial figurehead of the Trump administration’s initiative to downsize government, often criticized for its aggressive approach. The Department of Government Efficiency, affectionately known as DOGE, has struggled to meet its ambitious fiscal cut goals and often faced backlash for its proposed reductions.
Skepticism Among Political Rivals
Democratic U.S. Rep. Mark Pocan expressed doubt regarding Musk’s commitment to reduce his political spending, suggesting that this merely reflects an awareness of Musk’s diminishing favorability among voters. “I don’t believe any of it,” Pocan asserted, critical of Musk’s prior actions through DOGE.
Kelda Roys, a Democratic state senator, echoed this sentiment and noted, “There are plenty of other billionaire donors willing to step in.” Musk’s ability to directly engage in future campaigns may still exist but could be more subdued, according to Scholz, who summarized Musk’s outsized role as having overshadowed the campaign narrative.
Significant Financial Contributions
Musk personally injected at least $3 million into the Wisconsin Supreme Court contest, while associated groups, such as America PAC and Rebuilding America’s Future, contributed an additional $19 million in support of the Republican candidate, Brad Schimel. The combined financial effort reached upwards of $100 million, marking a heated electoral battle.
Innovative Campaign Strategies
America PAC deployed substantial resources, exceeding $6 million, to fund door-to-door canvassing efforts throughout Wisconsin. This strategy mirrored tactics used last fall across key presidential battlegrounds. Musk also engaged individual voters financially, promising $1 million each to incentivize participation and boosting turnout through various financial rewards for volunteering and signing petitions against “activist judges.”
The Political Landscape Ahead
In advance of this electoral season, Musk had taken to social media to warn that, “A seemingly small election could determine the fate of Western civilization.” However, Democrats successfully framed the Supreme Court contest as a referendum against both Musk and Trump, leading to the election of a judge who ensures liberal control of the Wisconsin Supreme Court until at least 2028.
All this transpired on the same day a liberal judge announced her candidacy for the 2026 Wisconsin Supreme Court race, presenting a challenge to a conservative incumbent. Judge Chris Taylor’s campaign emphasizes a focus on the people rather than wealthy influences, similar to the successful strategy of the recently elected judge.
The Road Ahead for Political Campaigning
Taylor has expressed a commitment to prioritizing the needs of Wisconsin residents over the interests of billionaires, stating, “My campaign is going to be about the people of this state.” This approach could be echoed by future Democratic candidates as they seek to capitalize on the evolving political landscape.
This election cycle illustrates how individual influence and wealth can sway political contests, and Musk’s experience signifies a potential turning point in how billionaire donors engage in state and national elections moving forward.