The next visitor publish was written for Every day Kos by Ben Wikler, chair of the Democratic Get together of Wisconsin. This publish doesn’t signify an official endorsement by Every day Kos.
This week, Wisconsin’s Supreme Courtroom election beat the file—a file set simply two years in the past in Wisconsin. It’s now the most costly judicial election in American historical past.
On one facet is Brad Schimel—now often known as “Elon Schimel” due to Elon Musk’s eight-figure funding in placing him on the courtroom. He’s essentially the most excessive, pro-Trump MAGA candidate we’ve ever seen. He even dressed as Donald Trump in a rubbish truck drive costume for Halloween.
On the opposite facet is Choose Susan Crawford, the sort of commonsense choose any defendant would need behind the bench.
On Wednesday night time, Schimel and Crawford confronted off for the state Supreme Courtroom’s one debate. Take a look at a few of the highlights (or can watch the complete debate right here).
Schimel repeatedly defended the state’s 1849 abortion ban as “valid.”
Requested whether or not the case during which the Wisconsin Supreme Courtroom declined Trump’s try to overturn the 2020 presidential election was appropriately determined, Schimel answered, “I don’t know.”
Requested if he embraces Musk’s endorsement, Schimel hemmed and hawed.
“It’s costly and it is tough to get your message out,” he stated—a veiled thank-you to the richest man on this planet, who occurs to be shredding the Social Safety Administration, the Veterans Administration, and our Structure, all whereas his personal courtroom case affecting his backside line strikes by the Wisconsin courtroom system.
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Crawford, in the meantime, reminded us why she’s precisely the proper particular person to serve on the Supreme Courtroom: clear solutions, Wisconsin values, and nice care to clarify that she wouldn’t prejudge instances that may come earlier than her.
She gained the controversy strolling away. However solely a tiny variety of voters watched the controversy, and practically all of them already knew who they have been supporting earlier than the primary query was requested. To win this election, it’s on all of us to achieve the lots of of hundreds of dedicated Democrats—and associates of freedom and democracy—who didn’t watch it.
And Musk’s tens of millions are standing in the best way.
Musk’s technique is two-fold. First, spend tens of millions of {dollars}, by numerous teams and PACs he’s funding, on relentless advertisements attempting to suppress assist for Crawford by mendacity about her file as a choose. Second, launch an enormous mail-and-door-hangers marketing campaign focusing on Republicans with a easy promise: “BRAD SCHIMEL WILL SUPPORT PRESIDENT TRUMP’S AGENDA!”
Right here’s one among their mailers:
A mailer despatched by Elon Musk’s tremendous PAC, the America PAC, in assist of Brad Schimel, the conservative candidate for the Wisconsin Supreme Courtroom.
Is it working?
Properly, a right-wing dark-money group posted its ballot saying the race is tied 47-47. If Democrats and Republicans vote in equal numbers, that may actually be the case.
However the Democrats’ job is to out-organize and out-communicate the Republicans—and clear Schimel’s clock by driving up turnout for Crawford. That’s why anti-Schimel billboards went up this week round Wisconsin.
And that’s why Wisconsin Democrats might be out in each group within the state this weekend, knocking on doorways, calling telephones, and spreading the phrase to associates—{that a} vote for Crawford is a vote for freedom, democracy, and the rule of regulation, and a vote for Schimel is a vote for abortion bans and Elon Musk.
Should you haven’t signed up for a volunteer shift but, do it now, proper right here.
No one has a dependable approach to measure upfront which facet could have extra vitality on this race or who will finally vote. However in particular elections to date this yr, margins have swung towards Democrats by a median of just about 10 factors. And all it takes is a intestine examine to know that Democrats are livid about what Musk, Trump, and the GOP are doing to this nation. If we channel that outrage into electoral vitality, we’ll win this race.
And the entire world will see that no quantity of Musk spending is sufficient to deter us from defending the nation that we love.
Let’s get on the market. Simply 18 days to go.
Wisconsin Democrats want all arms on deck to defeat Brad Schimel and defuse Elon Musk’s cash bomb. Electing Choose Susan Crawford will take assets to achieve voters throughout Wisconsin. Assist gasoline WisDems efforts. Chip in right here.
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