'Take your lies and shove them': Schimel takes final shots at Crawford on eve of the most expensive court race in US history

OCONOMOWOC, Wis. (CBS 58) -- On the last day before Election Day, conservative state Supreme Court candidate Brad Schimel made five campaign stops to make his final pitch to voters.

Schimel continues to attack liberal candidate Susan Crawford while also fending off questions about his biggest donor, Elon Musk.

Early voting totals have shot past the numbers from the 2023 Supreme Court race, but party leaders are holding off on making predictions.

It was a grueling day to end a grueling campaign, as Schimel traveled more than 400 miles throughout the state on his "Save Wisconsin" bus tour.

When Schimel finally arrived in Oconomowoc, he told the crowd of supporters, including some family members, "I can't believe this is happening for a court race."

For months, this race has been a proxy war for national politics.

Schimel said, "It's bigger than just the Wisconsin Supreme Court. This is about our state and our nation."

Republican former Governor Scott Walker said, "There's been no battleground state in America that's been closer than the state of Wisconsin. So it all comes down to us."

Schimel has leaned into his endorsement from President Trump. A recent ad says a vote for Schimel will protect Trump's agenda.

Schimel told the crowd about a recent phone call with the President. "I said, Mr. President, the whole reason I'm in this is to end the reign of activist judges in the Wisconsin Supreme Court."

State GOP chair Brian Schimming thinks this one could come down to the wire. "This is truly an election that may go down to 8:00 Tuesday night."

Some Republicans are optimistic, based on early voting numbers that far surpass the numbers from the 2023 Supreme Court race.

In six counties targeted by the GOP, absentee ballots are up 69%. In-person early voting is up 114%. Early voting numbers are also up in deep blue Dane and Milwaukee counties.

Schimming said he's seen lots of enthusiasm at more than 20 stops in recent days. "Everywhere I've been, I see that, I hear it. From clerks, I hear it from our local activists. So, for us, it's a signal of strength in Brad Schimel's campaign."

The GOP has criticized Crawford's out-of-state donations, the largest of which is $2 million from billionaire George Soros.

Schimel said Monday, "Yeah, I am very concerned about that. All they want to talk about is Elon Musk, Elon Musk, Elon Musk. How about that?"

But Schimel has benefitted from more than $20 million funneled into his campaign by Musk.

In total, a record-shattering $100 million-plus has been poured into the race from around the country, and that total is expected to increase as more contributions are reported.

As Schimel wrapped up his final campaign speech, he again took aim at Crawford, claiming she's lied about him repeatedly, and said she's ethically unqualified to serve.

"Take your lies and shove them," he directed at Crawford.