Top Story Editor's Pick Elon Musk-funded political group spends big, goes door to door in Wisconsin Supreme Court race THOMAS BEAUMONT Associated Press Mar 31, 2025 Mar 31, 2025 Updated Apr 15, 2025 × Elon Musk gave out $1 million checks on Sunday to two Wisconsin voters, declaring them spokespeople for his political group. Prefer us on Google Learn More Facebook Twitter WhatsApp SMS Email Print Copy article link Save GREEN BAY — Elon Musk and his political operatives have tried to shape the closely watched Wisconsin Supreme Court race in ways that are not immediately obvious but could be critical to Tuesday's outcome.kAm|FD<VD p>6C:42 !pr 92D D6?E A2:5 42?G2DD6CD 24C@DD (:D4@?D:? D:?46 62C=J u63CF2CJ[ 367@C6 4@?D6CG2E:G6 qC25 $49:>6= k2 9C67lQ9EEADi^^2A?6HD]4@>^2CE:4=6^H:D4@?D:?\564:D:@?\?@E6D\DAC:?8\DFAC6>6\4@FCE\65F42E:@?\cag6cfg4e`56b3f7eeed_5576476gab6Qm25G2?465 :? 2 ?@?A2CE:D2? AC:>2CJk^2m E@ 7246 =:36C2= $FD2? rC2H7@C5 7@C 2? @A6? D62E @? E96 DE2E6VD 9:896DE 4@FCE[ H96C6 =:36C2= ;FDE:46D 9@=5 2 c\b >2;@C:EJ 2?5 C6E:C6>6?E E9:D J62C @7 2 =:36C2= ;FDE:46 AFED >2;@C:EJ 4@?EC@= @7 E96 4@FCE :? A=2J]k^Am People are also reading… Former Mount Horeb star sidelined for freshman season with Wisconsin men's basketball Lake Geneva considers options for adding more boat slips Phil Hands cartoon: What's allowed to be higher than the Capitol in Madison? MLB playoff heroes' stories teach us about value of low-cost youth sports Town of Delavan conducts annual Oktoberfest Instant analysis from the Brewers' NLDS-clinching Game 4 win over the Padres Lake Geneva artist to have works displayed during fall show Week 8 high school football scores Ronald Rindo to discuss novel Oct. 14 at Lake Geneva Public Library Bottles for Brewers celebration featured names of Wisconsin cities Mom says Wautoma player can't walk, talk after hit in football game 3 things that stood out from No. 1 Wisconsin women's hockey's loss at No. 2 Ohio State Hands Off Kenosha recognized as community organization with award Inside Garrett Mitchell's game-saving home run robbery on Manny Machado Legendary coach, Hall of Fame TE Mike Ditka dies at 86 kAm~G6C E96 6:89E H66<D D:?46[ 42?G2DD6CD 2C6 6IA64E65 E@ 92G6 C624965 9F?5C65D @7 E9@FD2?5D @7 A@E6?E:2= $49:>6= G@E6CD[ 32D65 @? E96 >@C6 E92? Sc]b >:==:@? 2=@?6 E92E DA6?5:?8 C64@C5D 2 H66< 367@C6 E96 6=64E:@? D9@H65 p>6C:42 !pr 925 A@FC65 :?E@ E9:D =23@C\:?E6?D:G6 2DA64E @7 E96 42>A2:8?]k^AmkAm“pD x EC2G6= 2C@F?5 E96 DE2E6[ x’G6 366? 962C:?8 7C@> BF:E6 2 76H 7@=<D H9@ D2J E96J’G6 8@E p>6C:42 !pr <?@4<D 2E E96:C 5@@CD[” D2:5 qC:2? $49:>>:?8[ E96 DE2E6 #6AF3=:42? 492:C>2?] “p?5 :E’D ?@E ;FDE :? E96 3:8 2C62D]”k^AmkAm%9@F89 E96 8C@FA 92D 366? 288C6DD:G6 :? v~!\962GJ (2F<6D92 r@F?EJ :? DF3FC32? |:=H2F<66[ $49:>>:?8 2?5 @E96CD C6A@CE 962C:?8 E92E p>6C:42 !pr 42?G2DD6CD 92G6 2AA62C65 :? #24:?6 r@F?EJ[ 2 3=F6\4@==2C 2C62 D@FE9 @7 |:=H2F<66 2?5 2C62D DF49 2D $2F< r@F?EJ ?@CE9H6DE @7 |25:D@?]k^Am kAm“%96J 92G6 366? @? E9:D >@C6 E92? 2?J3@5J[” $49:>>:?8 D2:5]k^AmkAm|FD< A=2J65 FA E96 DE2<6D 2E k2 9C67lQ9EEADi^^2A?6HD]4@>^2CE:4=6^H:D4@?D:?\DFAC6>6\4@FCE\>FD<\>:==:@?\5@==2C\8:G62H2J\4562ee6_54322db55`gb6`5`_366a3bdQm2? p>6C:42 !pr 6G6?Ek^2m $F?52J ?:89E :? vC66? q2J[ D2J:?8 $49:>6= H2D :? 52?86C @7 =@D:?8 2?5 42==:?8 7@C 2 >@G6>6?E E@ “5C28?6E E96 DE2E6]”k^AmkAm“tG6CJ3@5J’D 8@:?8 E@ >@3:=:K6 6G6CJH96C6 =:<6 4C2KJ 7@C E96 ?6IE cg 9@FCD[” 96 D2:5] “p?5 x E9:?< E9:D H:== 36 :>A@CE2?E 7@C E96 7FEFC6 @7 4:G:=:K2E:@?] xE’D E92E D:8?:7:42?E] *@F 5@?’E 962C >6 D2J:?8 E92E G6CJ @7E6?] xE’D 2 3:8 562=]”k^Am kAmw6 6?4@FC2865 2EE6?566D E@ D:8? FA 2E p>6C:42 !prVD H63D:E6 E@ 36 2 “3=@4< 42AE2:?[” 7@C H9:49 E96J 4@F=5 62C? Sa_ 7@C <?@4<:?8 @? 5@@CD :? E96:C ?6:893@C9@@5D 2?5 FA=@25:?8 2 A9@E@ 2D AC@@7]k^AmkAm“xEVD ]]] E9F>3D FA 2?5 9@=5 2 A:4EFC6 @7 yF586 $49:>6=] p?5 E92EVD :E[ 2?5 J@F 86E Sa_[” 96 D2:5]k^AmkAm%9@F89 p>6C:42 !pr 564=:?65 E@ 5:D4FDD 56E2:=D @7 :ED H@C<[ E96 8C@FAVD 4@>>:E>6?E 4@?7:C>D |FD<VD F?:BF6=J A@H6C7F= C@=6 :? #6AF3=:42? A@=:E:4D 2D k2 9C67lQ9EEADi^^2A?6HD]4@>^2CE:4=6^>FD<\492:?D2H\ECF>A\5@86\edeg6h6_474ca25e45475dg2c_h63b`aQmD@>6@?6 H@C<:?8 4=@D6=J H:E9 !C6D:56?E s@?2=5 %CF>Ak^2m 2?5 H:==:?8 E@ DA6?5 E6?D @7 >:==:@?D @7 5@==2CD E@ 3@@DE %CF>A 2?5 9:D 2==:6D]k^Am kAmsFC:?8 E96 a_ac AC6D:56?E:2= 6=64E:@?[ |FD<[ E96 H@C=5VD C:496DE A6CD@?[ 4@>>:EE65 k2 9C67lQ9EEADi^^2A?6HD]4@>^2CE:4=6^6=@?\>FD<\2>6C:42\A24\ECF>A\5acgdcfhee37h4e527e7d5bba34c36eeQm>@C6 E92? Sa__ >:==:@?k^2m E@ p>6C:42 !prVD H@C< @? %CF>AVD 3692=7 :? E96 D6G6? >@DE 4@>A6E:E:G6 DE2E6D[ :?4=F5:?8 (:D4@?D:?[ H96C6 %CF>A H@? 3J 76H6C E92? b_[___ G@E6D[ =6DD E92? 2 A6C46?E286 A@:?E]k^AmkAm%96 (:D4@?D:? $FAC6>6 r@FCE 4@>6D 2D E96 4@FCE :D 6IA64E65 E@ CF=6 @? k2 9C67lQ9EEADi^^2A?6HD]4@>^2CE:4=6^H:D4@?D:?\DE2E6\DFAC6>6\4@FCE\23@CE:@?\>FD<\_2f__ab_a756`e_c6d5bd25`3e52f3`eQm23@CE:@? C:89EDk^2m[ k2 9C67lQ9EEADi^^2A?6HD]4@>^2CE:4=6^H:D4@?D:?\DFAC6>6\4@FCE\C65:DEC:4E:?8\4@?8C6DD\3acec3`eh4ef`647hhe56_3g___db`f2Qm4@?8C6DD:@?2= C65:DEC:4E:?8k^2m[ k2 9C67lQ9EEADi^^2A?6HD]4@>^2CE:4=6^H:D4@?D:?\DFAC6>6\4@FCE\6=64E:@?\F?:@?D\f673g4h327e72a26_36hd25fedba``geQmF?:@? A@H6Ck^2m 2?5 G@E:?8 CF=6D E92E 4@F=5 27764E E96 a_ae >:5E6C>D 2?5 E96 a_ag AC6D:56?E:2= 6=64E:@?] |FD< 2?5 p>6C:42 !pr 2C6 ECJ:?8 E@ 6=6G2E6 $49:>6=[ H9@ 92D 2EE24965 9:>D6=7 AF3=:4=J E@ %CF>A 2?5 |FD<]k^Am kAmp>6C:42 !pr C6AC6D6?E2E:G6D H6C6 H@C<:?8 E96 4C@H5 uC:52J 2E 2 $49:>6= C2==J :? q62G6C s2>[ ?@CE962DE @7 |25:D@?] %96J H6C6 D66<:?8 A6E:E:@? D:8?2EFC6D E@ @AA@D6 “24E:G:DE ;F586D]Q %96 A@=:E:42= 24E:@? 4@>>:EE66 AC@>:D65 S`__ 7@C 6249 (:D4@?D:? G@E6C H9@ D:8?65 E96 A6E:E:@? 2?5 2?@E96C S`__ 7@C 6249 D:8?6C E96J C676CC65]k^AmkAm|FD< 92D 364@>6 2 s6>@4C2E:4 E2C86E 2?5 E96 46?E6C @7 E96 A2CEJVD >6DD28:?8 282:?DE $49:>6=] rC2H7@C5[ H9@ :D 324<65 3J =:36C2= 3:==:@?2:C6D :?4=F5:?8 v6@C86 $@C@D 2?5 x==:?@:D v@G] yq !C:EK<6C[ C676CC65 E@ 96C @AA@?6?E :? E96:C 5632E6 2D “t=@? $49:>6=]”k^Am kAm|2?J DE2?5:?8 ?62C3J H2G65 D:8?D :? AC@E6DE E@ |FD<]k^Am kAm“|FD< w2E6D yF586D (9@ s@ %96:C y@3P[Q D2:5 @?6 >2?VD 42C53@2C5 D:8?[ 96=5 @G6C 9:D 9625] %96 >2? ?6IE E@ 9:> 96=5 @?6 E92E D:>A=J D2:5[ “}~ s~vt[Q C676CC:?8 E@ E96 s6A2CE>6?E @7 v@G6C?>6?E t77:4:6?4J[ %CF>AVD 8@G6C?>6?E 4@DE\4FEE:?8 677@CE[ H9:49 |FD< 5:C64ED]k^AmkAm|FD< 5C6H H:56DAC625 2EE6?E:@? H:E9 E96 $F?52J C2==J :? vC66? q2J 2?5 9:D S` >:==:@? 8:G62H2JD E@ A6@A=6 H9@ D:8? E96 A6E:E:@? 564CJ:?8 ;F5:4:2= 24E:G:D>] vC@FAD =:?<65 E@ |FD< 92G6 DA6?E >@C6 E92? S`f >:==:@? E@ DFAA@CE $49:>6= :? H92E’D 364@>6 E96 >@DE 6IA6?D:G6 ;F5:4:2= C246 :? p>6C:42? 9:DE@CJ]k^Am kAmp D:8?:7:42?E A@CE:@? @7 E92E >@?6J :D 8@:?8 :?E@ E96 E65:@FD 3FE 4C:E:42= H@C< @7 G@E6C EFC?@FE]k^Am kAmpD @7 @?6 H66< 367@C6 E96 6=64E:@?[ p>6C:42 !pr 925 DA6?E Sc]b >:==:@? @? 42?G2DD:?8 2=@?6[ 244@C5:?8 E@ 7:8FC6D 4@>A:=65 3J E96 (:D4@?D:? s6>@4C24J r2>A2:8?[ 2 ?@?AC@7:E[ ?@?A2CE:D2? @C82?:K2E:@? E92E 25G@42E6D 7@C EC2?DA2C6?4J :? 42>A2:8? DA6?5:?8]k^AmkAmp>6C:42?D 7@C !C@DA6C:EJ[ 2 8C@FA 7@F?565 3J 2?E:\E2I 3:==:@?2:C6 3C@E96CD r92C=6D 2?5 s2G:5 z@49[ :D 2=D@ 42?G2DD:?8 :? E96 DFAC6>6 4@FCE C246 2?5 2=D@ H2D 24E:G6 :? (:D4@?D:? 5FC:?8 E96 a_ac 42>A2:8?] qFE E96 8C@FA 2=D@ H2D 2 5:DE2?E D64@?5 :? E96 $FAC6>6 r@FCE C246[ 92G:?8 DA6?E @?=J 23@FE 2 D:IE9 @7 p>6C:42 !pr — Sf`a[___ — @? 42?G2DD:?8[ 244@C5:?8 E@ E96 (:D4@?D:? s6>@4C24J r2>A2:8?]k^Am kAm(9:=6 E96 >:==:@?D p>6C:42 !pr 92D DA6?E @? 42?G2DD:?8 2C6 72C 36J@?5 H92E @E96C 8C@FAD 92G6 4@>>:EE65[ p>6C:42 !pr 2=D@ 925 DA6?E 2D @7 =2DE H66< 2E =62DE 2?@E96C Sc >:==:@? @? >2:=[ AC:?E:?8[ @?=:?6 25G6CE:D:?8[ A9@?6\32?<:?8[ E6IE >6DD28:?8 2?5 @E96C @C82?:K:?8 4@DED[ 2=D@ 72C 29625 @7 @E96C 8C@FAD]k^Am kAm%96 8C@FA H2D 42?G2DD:?8 E9:D >@?E9 :? $2F< r@F?EJ[ H96C6 E96 AC6D:56?E:2= 42?5:52E6 H9@ E@@< E96 DE2E6 92D H@? :? 7:G6 DEC2:89E 6=64E:@?D]k^AmkAm%CF>A =2DE J62C H@? $2F< — DA=:E 36EH66? s6>@4C2E:4\=62?:?8 2C62D 4=@D6C E@ |25:D@? 2?5 2 >@C6 4@?D6CG2E:G6 CFC2= ?@CE9H6DE — 3J eae G@E6D 27E6C s6>@4C2E y@6 q:56? H@? E96 4@F?EJ 3J e`d G@E6D :? a_a_]k^Am kAmp>6C:42 !pr 42?G2DD6CD H6C6 :? $2F< r@F?EJ <?@4<:?8 @? 5@@CD =2DE 72==[ ECJ:?8 E@ C6249 G@E6CD H9@ 925 G@E65 #6AF3=:42? :? E96 A2DE 3FE 925 ?@E 366? C6=:23=J 24E:G6]k^AmkAm“p>6C:42 !pr :D :? @FC ?64< @7 E96 H@@5D[” D2:5 y6CCJ w6=>6C[ E96 4@F?EJVD #6AF3=:42? 492:C>2?] “%96J H6C6 FA <?@4<:?8 @? 5@@CD :? E96 (:D4@?D:? s6==D E9:D >@?E9] p>6C:42 !pr 92D 366? 5@:?8 2 C62==J 8@@5 ;@3 :? @FC 2C62] %96J 2C6 ;FDE <:==:?8 :E :? $2F< r@F?EJ]”k^Am Locations Madison Get Government & Politics updates in your inbox! Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Related to this story Elon Musk in Green Bay ahead of election Elon Musk gave out $1 million checks on Sunday to two Wisconsin voters, declaring them spokespeople for his political group. How Wisconsin became the 'tip of the spear' in skyrocketing spending on judicial elections “This is no way to pick judges in this fragile moment in our democracy." AG Kaul asks Wisconsin Supreme Court to block Musk's $2 million giveaway Kaul has requested action "as soon as possible but no later than the planned event on Sunday evening," according to court records. Wisconsin appeals court won't stop Musk's $1M payments to voters after attorney general sues The ruling is the latest twist in Elon Musk's deep involvement in the race, which has set a record for spending in a judicial election. AG Josh Kaul sues to block Elon Musk's $2 million Wisconsin Supreme Court election giveaway Wisconsin election bribery law prohibits offering anything of value to a voter to induce them to go to the polls. Musk announces $1 million for voter in Wisconsin Supreme Court race. Opposition calls it 'corrupt' Jay Heck, executive director of Common Cause in Wisconsin, said the payments were a last-minute attempt to influence the election. Early voting and spending surge in key Wisconsin Supreme Court race The election has morphed into a proxy battle over the nation’s politics, with Trump and Elon Musk supporting Brad Schimel, the Republican-back… Elon Musk hands out $1 million payments after Wisconsin Supreme Court declines request to stop him Musk and groups he supports have spent more than $20 million to help conservative favorite Brad Schimel in Tuesday's race, which will determin… Merrimac Ferry opens for the 2025 season Wisconsin’s only free ferry — officially known as COLSAC III — connects Highway 113 between Okee in Columbia County and Merrimac in Sauk Count… U.S. Supreme Court seems likely to side with Catholic Charities in Wisconsin case In a case that could have wide-ranging effects, the justices suggested the Catholic Charities Bureau should not have to pay unemployment taxes. Man drives Cybertruck onto Library Mall at UW-Madison, yells 'free weed' No one was injured during the incident, UW police said. Two polling locations, at Memorial Union and Chazen Art Museum, are within a few hundr… Watch Now: Related Video WisEye Morning Minute: The Attorney General's Race Top stories for Oct. 12, 2026 Top stories for Oct. 12, 2026 Top stories for Oct. 12, 2026 Top stories for Oct. 12, 2026 When does Daylight Saving Time end in 2026? Here's when clocks fall back When does Daylight Saving Time end in 2026? Here's when clocks fall back Watch Now: Related Video WisEye Morning Minute: The Attorney General's Race Top stories for Oct. 12, 2026 Top stories for Oct. 12, 2026 Top stories for Oct. 12, 2026 Top stories for Oct. 12, 2026 When does Daylight Saving Time end in 2026? Here's when clocks fall back When does Daylight Saving Time end in 2026? Here's when clocks fall back
Elon Musk in Green Bay ahead of election Elon Musk gave out $1 million checks on Sunday to two Wisconsin voters, declaring them spokespeople for his political group.
How Wisconsin became the 'tip of the spear' in skyrocketing spending on judicial elections “This is no way to pick judges in this fragile moment in our democracy."
AG Kaul asks Wisconsin Supreme Court to block Musk's $2 million giveaway Kaul has requested action "as soon as possible but no later than the planned event on Sunday evening," according to court records.
Wisconsin appeals court won't stop Musk's $1M payments to voters after attorney general sues The ruling is the latest twist in Elon Musk's deep involvement in the race, which has set a record for spending in a judicial election.
AG Josh Kaul sues to block Elon Musk's $2 million Wisconsin Supreme Court election giveaway Wisconsin election bribery law prohibits offering anything of value to a voter to induce them to go to the polls.
Musk announces $1 million for voter in Wisconsin Supreme Court race. Opposition calls it 'corrupt' Jay Heck, executive director of Common Cause in Wisconsin, said the payments were a last-minute attempt to influence the election.
Early voting and spending surge in key Wisconsin Supreme Court race The election has morphed into a proxy battle over the nation’s politics, with Trump and Elon Musk supporting Brad Schimel, the Republican-back…
Elon Musk hands out $1 million payments after Wisconsin Supreme Court declines request to stop him Musk and groups he supports have spent more than $20 million to help conservative favorite Brad Schimel in Tuesday's race, which will determin…
Merrimac Ferry opens for the 2025 season Wisconsin’s only free ferry — officially known as COLSAC III — connects Highway 113 between Okee in Columbia County and Merrimac in Sauk Count…
U.S. Supreme Court seems likely to side with Catholic Charities in Wisconsin case In a case that could have wide-ranging effects, the justices suggested the Catholic Charities Bureau should not have to pay unemployment taxes.
Man drives Cybertruck onto Library Mall at UW-Madison, yells 'free weed' No one was injured during the incident, UW police said. Two polling locations, at Memorial Union and Chazen Art Museum, are within a few hundr…
