{"id":2409123,"date":"2025-03-03T16:28:02","date_gmt":"2025-03-03T21:28:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/musk-gambles-wi-supreme-court-race-as-tesla-lawsuit-hangs-in-balance-washington-examiner\/"},"modified":"2025-03-03T16:31:56","modified_gmt":"2025-03-03T21:31:56","slug":"musk-gambles-wi-supreme-court-race-as-tesla-lawsuit-hangs-in-balance-washington-examiner","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/musk-gambles-wi-supreme-court-race-as-tesla-lawsuit-hangs-in-balance-washington-examiner\/","title":{"rendered":"Musk gambles WI Supreme Court race as Tesla lawsuit hangs in balance- Washington Examiner"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">28<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fmusk-gambles-wi-supreme-court-race-as-tesla-lawsuit-hangs-in-balance-washington-examiner%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2409123&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Elon Musk has invested over $2.6 \u200cmillion in the Wisconsin\u200b Supreme court election, wich could influence a key legal case involving his company, Tesla. Tesla recently sued Wisconsin after its request for dealer licenses was denied by the state, \u200dchallenging a law that\u2064 prohibits manufacturers from owning dealerships. The company argues that it \u2062should be allowed to operate dealerships in the state due to\u200b the lack of independent ones, emphasizing that its customers prefer\u2062 a direct buying experience.<\/p>\n<p>The political race has become controversial, with Musk&#8217;s financial backing causing concern over impartiality, \u200cespecially for conservative candidate Judge Brad Schimel, who may have to rule on the Tesla case if it reaches the \u200bSupreme\u200b Court. Schimel, while campaigning, \u2063stated\u200d that his vote isn&#8217;t for sale, but\u2063 questions remain regarding the ethics of his potential involvement in the lawsuit given Musk&#8217;s influence.<\/p>\n<p>The\u200b election, even though officially nonpartisan, is heavily influenced by billionaire\u2063 donors, resulting in a significant influx of\u2063 money from\u200d both candidates&#8217; camps. Political observers predict that this year&#8217;s\u200d election will break previous spending \u200drecords, further solidifying Musk&#8217;s role as a powerful figure in influencing key judicial races, not just in Wisconsin but possibly in other \u2062states as well.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Musk bets big in Wisconsin Supreme Court race as Tesla lawsuit hangs in balance<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_1998602\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/elon-musk\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Elon Musk<\/a>, President&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/donald-trump\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Donald Trump<\/a>&lsquo;s billionaire backer, has funneled more than $2.6 million and counting into a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/in_focus\/3332736\/wisconsin-supreme-court-election-ready-break-records-soros-musk-money\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"Wisconsin&nbsp;Supreme Court election\">Wisconsin&nbsp;Supreme Court election<\/a> that could decide on a case involving <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tesla.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"Tesla\">Tesla<\/a>, his electric vehicle company.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>Tesla <a href=\"https:\/\/wcca.wicourts.gov\/caseDetail.html?caseNo=2025CV000075&amp;countyNo=44\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"sued\">sued<\/a> Wisconsin in January, challenging a state law that forbids manufacturers from owning dealerships.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">This combination of file photos shows former Republican Attorney General Brad Schimel and Susan Crawford. (AP Photo\/Susan Crawford for Wisconsin, File)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Wisconsin denied Tesla&rsquo;s request for dealer licenses late last year, claiming the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/in-its-new-copy-nothing-campaign-jaguar-copies-bud-light\/\" title=\"In Its New &#039;Copy Nothing&#039; Campaign, Jaguar Copies Bud Light\">company didn&#038;rsquo<\/a>;t meet the requirements for exemptions to state law. Tesla wanted to turn&nbsp;its massive galleries in Madison and Milwaukee into dealerships and open others in Glendale and the Fox Cities.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>The&nbsp;company argued in a lawsuit that it should be allowed to operate its own dealerships if there aren&rsquo;t any independent ones around.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Tesla&rsquo;s Wisconsin customers prefer Tesla&rsquo;s uniform retail pricing and transparent, middleman-free car-buying experience,&rdquo; Tesla&rsquo;s petition read. &ldquo;As a result, an unaffiliated dealer cannot meet Tesla&rsquo;s uniformly applied standard qualifications.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>The company also argued Wisconsin law does not ban &ldquo;a non-franchising manufacturer like Tesla&rdquo; from operating a dealership.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Tesla CEO Elon Musk attends the start of production at Tesla&rsquo;s &ldquo;Gigafactory&rdquo; on March 22, 2022, in Gruenheide, southeast of Berlin, Germany. (Patrick Pleul \/ AFP via Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The company, which saw its stock drop 28% since the end of January and remained <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/market-data\/quotes\/TSLA\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"in the red\">in the red<\/a> as of Monday afternoon,&nbsp;sold between 3,000 and 4,000 electric&nbsp;vehicles in Wisconsin last year and believes&nbsp;sales would grow&nbsp;if it opened dealerships there.&nbsp;A hearing is scheduled later this month on whether the case can be transferred&nbsp;from Outagamie County to Dane or Milwaukee County.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>If Tesla disagrees with the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/doj-keep-az-from-requiring-proof-of-citizenship-in-november\/\" title=\"DOJ: Keep AZ From Requiring Proof Of Citizenship In November\">circuit court&#038;rsquo<\/a>;s decision, it could appeal to a higher court and eventually reach the Wisconsin Supreme Court.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Eight days after being denied by the circuit court, Musk told his 219 million followers on X: &ldquo;Very important to vote Republican for the Wisconsin Supreme Court to prevent voting fraud.&rdquo;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>That has made things publicly uncomfortable for Judge Brad Schimel,&nbsp;the conservative candidate for the state&rsquo;s high court who has benefited from Musk&rsquo;s millions and social media reach.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Schimel said his vote can&rsquo;t be bought but has not committed to recusing himself from the case should it reach the Wisconsin Supreme Court. Last week, his camp claimed it knew nothing about Musk&rsquo;s lawsuit.<\/p>\n<p>James Sample, a law professor at the Maurice A. Deane School of Law at Hofstra University, called the Wisconsin practice of allowing justices to determine for themselves if they can remain impartial in cases a &ldquo;fundamental flaw&rdquo; in the system.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;If Elon Musk&rsquo;s personal expenditures end up being one of the primary forces that supports the campaign of a judge, and then Elon Musk &mdash; in his corporate capacity &mdash; effectively appears before the Wisconsin Supreme Court, ask yourself the question: Might it be reasonable to question the impartiality of the judge whom he supported?&rdquo; Sample <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wpr.org\/news\/elon-musk-pac-millions-wisconsin-supreme-court-race-tesla-lawsuit\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"told Wisconsin Public Radio\">told Wisconsin Public Radio<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Musk&rsquo;s America&nbsp;PAC has spent $1 million on canvassing operations in Wisconsin. Some of the money was used to distribute pamphlets that read, &ldquo;President Trump needs you to get out and vote.&rdquo; His group blasted out attack ads featuring a picture of a woman named Susan Crawford &mdash; only it was a picture of a Harvard professor and not Schimel&rsquo;s opponent, Circuit Court Judge Susan Crawford.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Crawford, the candidate, has blasted Musk&rsquo;s meddling and suggested he stay in Washington.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Brad Schimel welcomes Elon Musk&rsquo;s involvement, and Musk&rsquo;s organization is now going door to door with paid canvassers handing out flyers that say that Brad has got to be on the Supreme Court to protect the Trump agenda,&rdquo; Crawford told reporters on Feb. 25. &ldquo;We don&rsquo;t need that kind of politics on our Supreme Court.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Building America&rsquo;s Future, another group that has received funding from Musk in the past, spent $1.6 million on a TV ad campaign on behalf of Schimel.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>The April 1 election is technically nonpartisan but has turned into a de facto partisan contest with millions of dollars flooding in from billionaire donors and outside special interest groups.&nbsp;Both candidate camps have blasted the other for trying to &ldquo;buy&rdquo; the election, though both have benefited.&nbsp;The 2023 election brought in more than $50 million.&nbsp;Political experts predict this year&rsquo;s race will easily shatter the record.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Get used to the insanity,&rdquo;&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/polisci.wisc.edu\/howard-schweber\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Howard Schweber<\/a>, professor emeritus of political science at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, told the&nbsp;<em>Washington Examiner<\/em>.<\/p>\n<p>In addition to a favorable Tesla decision, a&nbsp;win in Wisconsin would also certify Musk as a powerful kingmaker who can swing elections in <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\">politically important purple states<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/state\/3300026\/wisconsin-voters-gear-up-for-another-high-stakes-state-supreme-court-race\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"Wisconsin voters gear up for another high-stakes state Supreme Court race\">WISCONSIN VOTERS GEAR UP FOR ANOTHER HIGH-STAKES STATE SUPREME COURT RACE<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>It would also put him in a&nbsp;position to make moves in Virginia&rsquo;s gubernatorial race later this year and test how far his deep pockets and proximity to Trump go during the 2026 midterm elections.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Musk has found&nbsp;next-level celebrity status following Trump&rsquo;s win. He&rsquo;s been at Cabinet meetings, taken center stage at presidential events, and bragged about laying off thousands of federal workers.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p> <script data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/cdn-cgi\/scripts\/5c5dd728\/cloudflare-static\/email-decode.min.js\"><\/script><script>!function(){var g=window;g.googletag=g.googletag||{},g.googletag.cmd=g.googletag.cmd||[],g.googletag.cmd.push(function(){g.googletag.pubads().setTargeting(\"has-featured-video\",\"true\")})}();<\/script><script>var _bp=_bp||[];_bp.push({\"div\":\"Brid_1998602\",\"obj\":{\"id\":\"27789\",\"width\":\"1280\",\"height\":\"720\",\"stickyDirection\":\"below\",\"video\":\"1998602\"}});<\/script><script defer src=\"https:\/\/services.brid.tv\/player\/build\/brid.min.js\"><\/script><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Musk invests heavily in Wisconsin Supreme Court race amid Tesla lawsuit<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2646,"featured_media":2409124,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Elon-Musk-Special-Government-Employee-ethics.webp","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[4250,32275,6734,4124],"class_list":["post-2409123","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-musk","tag-supreme-court","tag-tesla","tag-wisconsin"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Elon-Musk-Special-Government-Employee-ethics.webp","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2409123","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2646"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2409123"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2409123\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2409127,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2409123\/revisions\/2409127"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2409124"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2409123"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2409123"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2409123"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}