Charlie Kirk, Donald Trump Jr. campaign for Wisconsin Supreme Court race, close to record-breaking spending

OCONOMOWOC, Wis. (CBS 58) – With early in-person voting nearly underway in Wisconsin, two significant figures within the Republican party visited the state to campaign for the high stakes state Supreme Court race.

Dane County Judge Susan Crawford and Waukesha County Judge Brad Schimel will face off on April 1. The winner will decide whether liberals maintain their 4-3 majority or if the court flips to conservative control.

Schimel, backed by conservatives, received support from Charlie Kirk and Donald Trump Jr. at an event in Oconomowoc on Monday, March 17.

“This is a turnout race,” said Schimel at Monday’s event. “A million and a half voters fall out between November and April. This is all about motivating conservative voters to come out and vote April 1.”

According to the Wisconsin Democracy campaign, big names visiting on the ground and others financially supporting candidates in Wisconsin are matched by big spending numbers.

As of March 17, the Wisconsin Democracy Campaign has tallied over $29 million in independent expenditures. On the same date in 2023, the total independent expenditures came to $14.41 million.

“Not only are we going to see the record broken, but maybe even doubled,” said Nick Ramos with the Wisconsin Democracy campaign. “Money is coming in fast and will only get worse once early voting starts.”

Crawford's campaign is leading the way in fundraising with $7.4 million, while Schimel’s campaign is just under $5 million, according to the Wisconsin Democracy campaign. However, conservative independent expenditures are at around $21.4 million while liberal independent expenditures are just under $8 million.

“We’re seeing big, big money come in from independent expenditures,” Ramos said. “These groups are often bankrolled by billionaires and aren’t constrained by any spending limits.”

Ramos said for those big names, Elon Musk is getting a lot of attention, and for good reason – his two groups are topping independent expenditure spending at a combined $11 million already. And, as is usual for Wisconsin politics, Richard Uihlein is very involved in this race with financial ties to at least three pro-Schimel groups.

George Soros and JB Pritzker are supporting Crawford, giving money through the Democratic party.

Two years ago, liberal Justice Janet Protasiewicz' victory flipped control of the court for the first time in 15 years.

Dane County Judge Susan Crawford visited Kenosha and Wauwatosa on Monday, March 17.

You can find all the information you need to vote here.