'Explosive!' Wisconsin Dem chair bullish on turnout in must-watch election
The head of Wisconsin Democrats touted what he called "explosive" turnout from his party on Tuesday in the widely watched race for Wisconsin Supreme Court.
On the ballot in the state are the Wisconsin Supreme Court and State Superintendent of Public Instruction:
All eyes nationally were on the Supreme Court race, where Dane County Judge Susan Crawford, backed by Democrats and progressives, was running against Waukesha County Judge Brad Schimel, supported by Republicans and conservatives, most notably tech billionaire Elon Musk.
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That race will determine the state court's ideological majority will likely tip how the high court rules on issues like abortion access and congressional redistricting. It attracted national attention and high-level endorsements, including from Musk and President Donald Trump.
In the race for State Superintendent of Public Instruction, incumbent Jill Underly, endorsed by Democrats and teachers' unions, is facing a challenge from Brittany Kinser, backed by Republicans.
Additionally, voters are deciding on a proposed constitutional amendment requiring a photo ID for voting.
A smiling Ben Wikler told CNN anchor Erin Burnett they're seeing "explosive" turnout in the state.
"What we've seen is a 54% increase in the early and by-mail votes compared to 2023, which itself set the 60-year record for state Supreme Court turnout when there wasn't a presidential primary on the ballot," said Wikler.
Precinct-level data, he said, shows Election Day turnout may be up as well.
"It looks like a very high-engagement election," he said. "Of course, the question is, 'who is doing the voting?' We're seeing a ton of turnout in the blue areas and in the kind of redder areas, it looks like some of the voters are folks who — like the person you just interviewed — they've had enough of what Trump and Elon Musk are trying to do and as you noted there's deep concerns for Brad Schimel and his support for the total abortion ban that we we breifly had in Wisconsin after Roe v. Wade was overturned."
The race, he said, is shaping up to be one for people who want to stop Trump and also put a "check" on Trump and Musk's "lawless power at this moment."
"And that could shape up for a result for Susan Crawford tonight that will bring hope to people across the country wondering whether Democrats and people who support freedom and democracy can fight back and win," he said.