Soros, Pritzker Among Billionaires Contributing to Crawford in Supreme Court Race

Billionaires Back Crawford for Supreme Court

We’re getting our first look at where the millions of dollars that are pouring into the race for Wisconsin Supreme Court are coming from.

The latest campaign reports show a number of out-of-state billionaires are writing big checks to both sides in the race between Brad Schimel and Dane County judge Susan Crawford.

“Monday’s campaign finance reports revealed that the Democratic Party of Wisconsin is funded by George Soros, JB Pritzker, and Reid Hoffman – and Susan Crawford is funded by the Democratic Party of Wisconsin,” Brad Schimel’s campaign said in a statement Tuesday. “Soros, Pritzker, and Hoffman’s cash accounted for over 40 percent of the $4 million in individual contributions received by the Democratic Party of Wisconsin this past month. Half of the money the Democratic Party of Wisconsin received was then transferred to Susan Crawford’s campaign.”

Schimel’s campaign finance reports show donations from Beloit businesswoman Diane Hendricks, and from Illinois businesswoman Liz Uihlein.

The Wisconsin Republican Party then used those donations to ship $1.67 million to Schimel.

Soros donated $1 million to the Democratic Party of Wisconsin. And that money was then sent to Crawford’s campaign.

Schimel’s campaign pounded on that seven-figure-check.

“It is no surprise why George Soros would back a candidate like Susan Crawford; she has spent her entire career implementing a deeply dangerous and radical agenda. From releasing violent criminals, attempting to abolish voter ID, and her troubling history of coddling sex predators, Susan Crawford is George Soros’ ideal investment,” the campaign added. “On Wisconsin’s Supreme Court, Susan Crawford has an agenda and Soros is buying into it.”

Crawford’s campaign responded on Twitter.

“Begging on bended knee to billionaires. Letting rape kits sit untested. Fighting against reproductive rights. No jail time for child predators. That's Brad Schimel's record,” the Crawford camp tweeted on Tuesday.

The race for the high court in Wisconsin is expected to, once again, be record-breakingly expensive.

The 2023 race saw at least $50 million in spending from the candidates, the parties, and outside groups.

Schimel on Monday reported raising $2.7 million in January, and $5 million in all.

Crawford reported raising $4.4 million in January, and over $7 million in all.