MADISON, Wis. — In a contentious turn of events amid the high-stakes Wisconsin Supreme Court elections, a state judge on Saturday declined to block Elon Musk from distributing $1 million checks to two state voters during a pre-election rally. The decision came despite objections from the state attorney general, who swiftly appealed the ruling, arguing that such payments violate state law.
The closely watched judicial election, set for Tuesday, has notably attracted record-breaking spending, including significant contributions from Musk himself. The billionaire tech mogul has expressed his support for Waukesha County Judge Brad Schimel, who is endorsed by both Donald Trump and Musk. On the opposing side, Dane County Judge Susan Crawford receives backing from key Democratic figures and donors, including George Soros.
Musk’s involvement extends beyond endorsements. He announced a rally for Sunday with plans to award $1 million each to two individuals who joined an online petition criticizing ‘activist’ judges. Additionally, anyone who signs the petition is promised $100. This follows a previous instance where Musk gifted $1 million to a Green Bay resident under similar circumstances.
The implications of the current election stretch far and wide, as the outcome could potentially flip the liberal majority currently held in the Wisconsin Supreme Court. The court’s future decisions on critical issues such as abortion rights, union power, redistricting, and voting regulations are pivotal, with expected repercussions on forthcoming midterms and presidential elections.
Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul, a Democrat, has challenged the legality of Musk’s proposed payments through a lawsuit filed against Musk’s America PAC. The suit stresses that providing anything of value in exchange for voter participation is a criminal offense under state law.
After Columbia County Circuit Judge Andrew Voigt dismissed the request for an emergency injunction, Kaul indicated that his next step would be to approach the state Court of Appeals.
Previously, a similar strategy was employed by Musk’s political action committee during the presidential elections, where daily payments of $1 million were offered to voters in seven key battleground states, including Wisconsin, for supporting constitutional amendments. This maneuver was scrutinized but ultimately not hindered by judiciary in Pennsylvania, citing insufficient evidence of it being an unlawful lottery.
The event underscores a growing intersection of wealth, influence, and legal boundaries in U.S. electoral politics, marking an era where the roles and impacts of private wealth on public elections are hotly debated and litigated.
The judge’s decision not to halt Musk’s plan arrives amidst tense anticipation for the outcomes of these court challenges and the corresponding election results, signaling a crucial point for Wisconsin’s judicial and electoral integrity.
Musk initially announced intentions to distribute the funds personally to eligible voters who have already voted, promoting the event on the social media platform, X. Despite the deletion of the original social media post by Musk, there are no clear indications that the planned handovers have been cancelled, as conveyed by Kaul in his legal filings.
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