WISCONSIN: Susan Crawford's Attack on Tesla Creates Conflict-of-Interest in Upcoming Case
Crawfords’ actions could require recusal, if she wins the April 1 Supreme Court race.
Susan Crawford
As the race for Wisconsin’s Supreme Court seat heats up, liberal candidate Susan Crawford’s criticism of Elon Musk and Tesla could create serious conflicts of interest should she win the April 1 race. Crawford’s biased rhetoric casts doubt on her impartiality and raise serious questions about her ability to fairly preside over a key case involving the electric vehicle manufacturer later this year.
Automotive giant Tesla submitted a request to the state of Wisconsin last year for dealer licenses with the intention of opening dealerships in Madison, Milwaukee, Glendale, and the Appleton area. Currently, residents wishing to buy new Tesla models must travel to neighboring Illinois or Minnesota to make those purchases.
Tesla’s petition for dealer licenses was repudiated when an administrative law judge handling the case denied Tesla’s request. The state finalized its rejection in December, prompting Tesla to file a lawsuit, an open records request for all communications pertaining to the case, and argue they had been deprived of an independent hearing and meaningful review. They noted the administrative law judge shared the draft decision with state administrators before sharing with the involved parties.
Manufacturers may request exemptions from the state to open dealerships if no licensed dealer is equipped to sell their vehicles. Tesla uniquely offers their customers the ability to purchase vehicles directly from their website with no haggling, fees, or dealer markups, making them untenable for independent dealers. A 2019 state budget amendment would have allowed Tesla to engage in direct sales but was unfortunately vetoed by Democrat Gov. Tony Evers.
The Media Campaign Against Musk
As the lawsuit between Tesla and Wisconsin remains ongoing, the company and its famed CEO Elon Musk, who also serves as an advisor to President Donald Trump, has become a target for national media and those displeased with his oversight role at the federal Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
Far-left activists who once relished the environmentally friendly electric car brand have vilified Musk and called for Americans to “take action at Tesla showrooms everywhere.” This rhetoric has fueled a spree of nationwide “protests” directed at Tesla: Intentional fires set in showrooms and at charging stations, gunshots fired through dealer windows, and hundreds of Tesla vehicles vandalized. Musk claimed groups associated with the Democratic Party are responsible for bankrolling the coordinated attacks on Tesla.
Bad Look for Crawford
Susan Crawford, the Democrat-backed candidate for the Wisconsin Supreme Court has been at the forefront of public attacks against Elon Musk. Crawford slammed Musk for “dismantling the federal government” and raised concerns about his proximity to the President. She accused Musk of trying to “buy access and influence” on the state Supreme Court and criticized the ongoing lawsuit between Tesla and Wisconsin, a case that could land before her if elected next month.
The Wisconsin Democratic party—which is backing Crawford—launched a seven-figure campaign titled “People v. Musk” referencing DOGE and depicting Musk as a power-hungry authoritarian for supporting Crawford’s opponent, Brad Schimel. Crawford is “glad that somebody is doing something” about Musk, referencing the ad fueled by Democrat megadonors.
If Tesla successfully appeals to the Wisconsin Supreme Court and Crawford is elected, she would be hearing the case after trumpeting a targeted campaign against one of its parties. While it’s questionable for a judicial candidate to publicly denounce an ongoing case, it may also set up a requirement for recusal. Despite a website banner claiming to be fair and impartial, Crawford’s a partisan judge more interested in gaining power than upholding principles of justice.
Early in-person voting for the April 1 Supreme Court election begins March 18. Susan Crawford will face conservative opponent and former Republican Attorney General, Brad Schimel in a race that will decide whether liberals maintain their majority or conservatives flip the court, restoring objective justice to the constitutional process.
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