Elon Musk has injected more than $20 million into Wisconsin's high-stakes Supreme Court election, deploying canvassers, issuing $1 million giveaways, and pushing a campaign that blends voter mobilization with direct financial incentives-drawing legal scrutiny and turning Tuesday's race into the most expensive judicial election in American history.
At a Sunday night rally in Green Bay, Musk told a crowd of roughly 2,000 that the outcome would be pivotal for the country. "I think this will be important for the future of civilization," Musk said. "It's that significant."
Through America PAC, a political action committee funded by Musk, canvassers have been knocking on doors across Wisconsin since early February. Public records show the group has spent $4.3 million on canvassing alone, with visits extending from GOP strongholds like Waukesha County to swing areas like Sauk County.
"They have been on this more than anybody," said Brian Schimming, chairman of the Wisconsin Republican Party. "As I travel around the state, I've been hearing from quite a few folks who say they've got America PAC knocks at their doors."
The PAC's efforts aim to elect conservative candidate Brad Schimel and flip the state's Supreme Court, currently under a 4-3 liberal majority. With the upcoming retirement of a liberal justice, the outcome could influence rulings on abortion, redistricting, union rights, and voting laws.
Musk, who wore a cheesehead hat while addressing the crowd, handed two Wisconsin voters $1 million checks, calling them spokespeople for America PAC. "It's a super big deal," he said. "I'm not phoning it in. I'm here in person."
The giveaways prompted a legal challenge by Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul, who argued Musk's actions violated state law. "Wisconsin law prohibits offering anything of value to induce anyone to vote," Kaul wrote in a court filing. But the state's Supreme Court declined to hear the challenge, with no explanation for its decision.
Lower courts had already dismissed Kaul's lawsuit, and Musk's attorneys argued the payments were a form of protected political speech. The payments are "intended to generate a grassroots movement in opposition to activist judges," Musk's legal team wrote. "Not to expressly advocate for or against any candidate."
The campaign has featured additional incentives. At a Schimel rally in Beaver Dam, America PAC representatives promised $100 for each voter who signed a petition opposing "activist judges" and another $100 for each successful referral.
Musk encouraged attendees to become "block captains" by canvassing their neighborhoods and uploading a photo with a Schimel sign. "It's ... thumbs up and hold a picture of Judge Schimel. And that's it, and you get $20," Musk said.
Schimel, wearing a "Make America Great Again" cap, has denied any coordination with outside groups. "That's exactly what I've committed to anybody, whether it's President Trump, Elon Musk or any donors," Schimel told Fox News Sunday. "Reject activist judges and follow the law."
As of last week, America PAC had spent an additional $4 million on other campaign activities, including mailers, digital ads, phone banking, and text outreach. The Wisconsin Democracy Campaign reports that Musk-funded groups have spent over $17 million in total on Schimel's behalf.
Americans for Prosperity, a conservative group affiliated with the Koch brothers, has also been active but spent significantly less-about $712,000 on canvassing.
Liberal candidate Susan Crawford, backed by George Soros and Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker, criticized Musk's involvement during a recent debate, referring to her opponent as "Elon Schimel."
