NPR News: 04-02-2025 6AM EDT

Speaker 00:00

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Korva Coleman· Host0:13

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Korva Coleman. A liberal candidate has won the open seat on Wisconsin's State Supreme Court. Democrats, with the help of outside donations, including billionaire George Soros, defeated the conservative candidate backed by billionaire Elon Musk. From Wisconsin Public Radio, Anya van Wachtendonk reports that Democrats propelled Susan Crawford to the victory.

Speaker 20:38

(crowd cheering) Susan, Susan, Susan!

Anya van Wachtendonk0:41

Crawford was declared the winner a little after 9:00 PM local time following a bruising election cycle estimated to cost more than $100 million. Much of that money came from Elon Musk in support of Crawford's conservative opponent, Brad Schimel. In her victory speech, Crawford described that campaign as an attack on democracy.

Susan Crawford· Soundbite0:59

And Wisconsin stood up and said loudly that justice does not have a price. Our courts are not for sale.

Anya van Wachtendonk1:09

(crowd cheering) Crawford's win cements a liberal majority on the swing state's high court with lawsuits affecting abortion and labor law at stake. For NPR News, I'm Anya van Wachtendonk in Madison.

Korva Coleman· Host1:21

Meanwhile, two Republican candidates have won decisively in the special congressional elections held yesterday in Florida. The candidates were endorsed