Latest news with #BradSchimel
Bloomberg
11-06-2025
- Business
- Bloomberg
Wisconsin Lawsuit Seeks to Ban Musk From Offering $1 Million Checks to Voters
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — A government watchdog group in Wisconsin filed a lawsuit Wednesday seeking to prohibit billionaire Elon Musk from ever again offering cash payments to voters in the battleground state like he did in this spring's hotly contested Supreme Court race. Musk handed out $1 million checks to three Wisconsin voters, including two in person just days before the state's April 1 Supreme Court election, in an effort to help elect conservative candidate Brad Schimel. Two weeks before the election, Musk's political action committee, America PAC, offered $100 to voters who signed a petition in opposition to 'activist judges," or referred someone to sign it.
CBS News
11-06-2025
- Business
- CBS News
Wisconsin lawsuit seeks to ban Elon Musk from ever offering $1 million checks to voters again
A government watchdog group in Wisconsin filed a lawsuit Wednesday seeking to prohibit billionaire Elon Musk from ever again offering cash payments to voters in the battleground state like he did in this spring's hotly contested Supreme Court race. Musk handed out $1 million checks to three Wisconsin voters, including two in person just days before the state's April 1 Supreme Court election, in an effort to help elect conservative candidate Brad Schimel. Two weeks before the election, Musk's political action committee, America PAC, offered $100 to voters who signed a petition in opposition to "activist judges," or referred someone to sign it. It was all part of more than $20 million that Musk and groups he support spent on the race in an effort to flip majority control of the Wisconsin Supreme Court. More than $100 million was spent by both sides, making it the most expensive court race in U.S. history. Musk's preferred candidate lost to Democratic-backed Susan Crawford by 10 percentage points. Her victory cemented the 4-3 liberal majority on the Wisconsin Supreme Court until at least 2028. Since that election, Musk announced he will spend less on political campaigns and then feuded publicly with President Donald Trump after exiting his administration. The lawsuit filed Wednesday in state court by the Wisconsin Democracy Campaign says that Musk's actions create "the risk that Wisconsin elections will become an open auction, where votes go to the preferred candidates of the highest bidders and the election outcome is determined by which candidate has a patron willing and able to pay the highest sum to Wisconsin voters." The lawsuit says that Musk and two groups he funds violated prohibitions on vote bribery and unauthorized lotteries and says his actions were an unlawful conspiracy and public nuisance. The lawsuit asks the court to order that Musk never offer similar payments to voters again. A spokesperson for Musk's America PAC did not immediately return a text message Wednesday seeking comment. There is another Wisconsin Supreme Court election in April. In November 2026, control of the Legislature and the governor's office, as well as the state's eight congressional districts, will be decided. The latest lawsuit was filed on behalf of the Wisconsin Democracy Campaign and a pair of voters by the liberal Wisconsin-based Law Forward and the Washington-based Democracy Defenders Fund. It was filed against Musk, his group America PAC that announced the petition and the Musk-funded group United States of America Inc. that made the payments. The court that Crawford joins in August could ultimately hear the new lawsuit. Crawford would almost certainly be asked to recuse from the case, and if she did, the court would be left with a 3-3 split between conservative and liberal justices. The current court, also controlled 4-3 by liberals, declined to hear a similar hastily filed lawsuit brought by Wisconsin's Democratic attorney general seeking to block Musk's handing out of two $1 million checks to voters two days before the election. Two lower courts rejected that lawsuit before the Supreme Court declined to hear it on procedural grounds. Musk's attorneys argued in that case that Musk was exercising his free speech rights with the giveaways and any attempt to restrict that would violate both the Wisconsin and U.S. constitutions. Musk's political action committee used a nearly identical tactic before the presidential election last year, offering to pay $1 million a day to voters in Wisconsin and six other battleground states who signed a petition supporting the First and Second amendments. A judge in Pennsylvania said prosecutors failed to show the effort was an illegal lottery and allowed it to continue through Election Day. A federal lawsuit filed in Pennsylvania in April alleges that Musk and his political action committee failed to pay more than $20,000 for getting people to sign that petition in 2024. America PAC on Monday filed a motion to dismiss. That case is pending.
Yahoo
12-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Opinion - The GOP's Wisconsin loss is a stark reminder: You can't neglect local government
Brad Schimel's loss to Judge Susan Crawford last week should serve as a wake-up call for Republicans nationwide. Despite a massive financial investment from Elon Musk and an endorsement from President Trump, the conservative Schimel lost decisively, preserving the Wisconsin Supreme Court's 4-3 liberal majority. This disappointing defeat in what once was a conservative area is a cautionary tale for Republicans, and it confirms that local government threatens the future of the Republican Party on a national level. Local government is always a proving ground for liberty-focused principles like limited government, fiscal responsibility and growth via business development (as opposed to high taxes). City councils, county boards and state courts don't just implement policy — they substantially influence the political landscape where national battles are won or lost. The Wisconsin Supreme Court race is a bold example of this idea. Now, the court is poised to rule on issues like redistricting, abortion and labor unions. Its liberal majority will threaten to redraw congressional maps in ways that could cost Republicans seats in the U.S. House. This is not just about one local seat; it is about a cycle of disregard. Too often, Republican energy is shunted into prominent national races, leaving local contests hung up: underfunded, understaffed and, frankly, underwhelmed. While crucial, the national focus on general elections overlooks the grassroots infrastructure that all but guarantees enduring victory. Posts online from influential conservatives like Jack Posobiec echo this sentiment, as he laments, 'This is a wakeup call for MAGA. You can't rely on big names like Trump or Elon to carry us in every off-cycle election. You need a machine that fights every race down to the local level.' The Wisconsin results prove him correct. Democrats outraised and out-mobilized Republicans, turning Musk's millions into a sad story about money without a gameplan. This is why I decided it was essential to get involved in my own community, by joining my city council in Huntington Beach, Calif. People are afraid to get involved in local politics, for fear of being canceled (or worse). But you'd be surprised by how empty that threat is. The lion's share of city residents wants reasonable-minded leaders to creatively address complex issues with fortitude and not fear. Huntington Beach is a bastion of pragmatism in a state that is dead-set on becoming a colossal policy failure, given its runaway taxes, ballooning crime, growing homelessness and dangerous drug abuse. In a recent ranking, it was revealed as California's best-run city, based on its high quality of services, education and healthy residents. All of this can be traced back to reasonable city government, which can direct money toward public safety, law enforcement, mental health services and ordinances that prevent criminals from destroying the fabric of the community. This is exactly the opposite of what we have seen from our neighbor, Los Angeles. Our city hosts massive events every year, and people come from all over the state because they know it's a safe city. And they are quickly reminded that a Republican-run city is a well-organized, clean city. My hope is that they will bring that realization back to their own communities. Traditional GOP strongholds are being redistricted, and in many cases, voter turnout is slim. This reflects a motivated Democratic base and a Republican one that sits out when Trump's name isn't on the ballot. Closing the gap requires a fundamental shift: more investment in local party infrastructure, better voter education and candidates who connect with communities year-round, not just during national cycles. For true conservatives, the lesson is straightforward. If you want a smaller federal government, local government should be your focus. It isn't a distraction from the national agenda — instead, it's the foundation that makes it possible. A party that gives up city halls and courthouses risks losing the war for America's future, no matter who sits in the White House. Wisconsin's Supreme Court loss can be a harbinger for a catastrophic calculus if Republicans doesn't change. Prioritizing local power must happen now, before the scenario plays out once again. Andrew Gruel, a graduate of Johnson and Wales University, is a food entrepreneur and television personality. He is the founder of Slapfish Restaurant Group based out of Huntington Beach, Calif., and the CEO and founder of American Gravy Restaurant Group. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
The Hill
12-04-2025
- Politics
- The Hill
The GOP's Wisconsin loss is a stark reminder: You can't neglect local government
Brad Schimel's loss to Judge Susan Crawford last week should serve as a wake-up call for Republicans nationwide. Despite a massive financial investment from Elon Musk and an endorsement from President Trump, the conservative Schimel lost decisively, preserving the Wisconsin Supreme Court's 4-3 liberal majority. This disappointing defeat in what once was a conservative area is a cautionary tale for Republicans, and it confirms that local government threatens the future of the Republican Party on a national level. Local government is always a proving ground for liberty-focused principles like limited government, fiscal responsibility and growth via business development (as opposed to high taxes). City councils, county boards and state courts don't just implement policy — they substantially influence the political landscape where national battles are won or lost. The Wisconsin Supreme Court race is a bold example of this idea. Now, the court is poised to rule on issues like redistricting, abortion and labor unions. Its liberal majority will threaten to redraw congressional maps in ways that could cost Republicans seats in the U.S. House. This is not just about one local seat; it is about a cycle of disregard. Too often, Republican energy is shunted into prominent national races, leaving local contests hung up: underfunded, understaffed and, frankly, underwhelmed. While crucial, the national focus on general elections overlooks the grassroots infrastructure that all but guarantees enduring victory. Posts online from influential conservatives like Jack Posobiec echo this sentiment, as he laments, 'This is a wakeup call for MAGA. You can't rely on big names like Trump or Elon to carry us in every off-cycle election. You need a machine that fights every race down to the local level.' The Wisconsin results prove him correct. Democrats outraised and out-mobilized Republicans, turning Musk's millions into a sad story about money without a gameplan. This is why I decided it was essential to get involved in my own community, by joining my city council in Huntington Beach, Calif. People are afraid to get involved in local politics, for fear of being canceled (or worse). But you'd be surprised by how empty that threat is. The lion's share of city residents wants reasonable-minded leaders to creatively address complex issues with fortitude and not fear. Huntington Beach is a bastion of pragmatism in a state that is dead-set on becoming a colossal policy failure, given its runaway taxes, ballooning crime, growing homelessness and dangerous drug abuse. In a recent ranking, it was revealed as California's best-run city, based on its high quality of services, education and healthy residents. All of this can be traced back to reasonable city government, which can direct money toward public safety, law enforcement, mental health services and ordinances that prevent criminals from destroying the fabric of the community. This is exactly the opposite of what we have seen from our neighbor, Los Angeles. Our city hosts massive events every year, and people come from all over the state because they know it's a safe city. And they are quickly reminded that a Republican-run city is a well-organized, clean city. My hope is that they will bring that realization back to their own communities. Traditional GOP strongholds are being redistricted, and in many cases, voter turnout is slim. This reflects a motivated Democratic base and a Republican one that sits out when Trump's name isn't on the ballot. Closing the gap requires a fundamental shift: more investment in local party infrastructure, better voter education and candidates who connect with communities year-round, not just during national cycles. For true conservatives, the lesson is straightforward. If you want a smaller federal government, local government should be your focus. It isn't a distraction from the national agenda — instead, it's the foundation that makes it possible. A party that gives up city halls and courthouses risks losing the war for America's future, no matter who sits in the White House. Wisconsin's Supreme Court loss can be a harbinger for a catastrophic calculus if Republicans doesn't change. Prioritizing local power must happen now, before the scenario plays out once again.
Yahoo
10-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Could the Wisconsin Supreme Court weigh in on the Enbridge Line 5 pipeline rerouting?
MADISON – Among court cases environmental advocates are watching as potentially reaching the Wisconsin Supreme Court in the coming years is one centered around the rerouting of a Northwoods fuel pipeline. The legal action comes as Wisconsin concluded a hard-fought race for a seat on the Supreme Court, with Dane County Judge Susan Crawford defeating conservative Waukesha County Judge Brad Schimel and cementing a liberal majority on the court until at least 2028. Last year, the DNR approved a permit for Enbridge Energy's reroute of the pipeline known as Line 5. About 12 miles of the pipeline cuts through the Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa's reservation. The easements for the land the pipeline is on have expired, which is why the company is planning to reroute it. After the DNR announced its decision to permit the plan, several environmental organizations contested the decision, and arguments will be heard by an administrative law judge for that case. While the hearings in the contested case have not started, any decision could likely be appealed to a circuit court, setting the stage for a process that could wind up at the Supreme Court. Evan Feinauer, an attorney with the group Clean Wisconsin, said the case could take years to reach that point, but the court could halt the pipeline or allow the reroute to continue. Enbridge Energy, a Canadian company, is also awaiting a decision from the Army Corps of Engineers and two others: Michigan's Public Service Commission and Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Enbridge Line 5 pipeline reroute could get to Wisconsin Supreme Court
