Wisconsin voters have elected a Democratic-backed judge to serve on the state supreme court, according to projections, following the most expensive judicial election in US history.
Susan Crawford is on course to beat conservative rival Brad Schimel, which would keep intact the 4-3 liberal dominance of the Midwestern state’s highest court.
President Donald Trump’s billionaire adviser Elon Musk was a prominent fundraiser in the campaign, and was the subject of attack ads aired by Crawford’s supporters. More than $100m (£77m) was spent by the candidates and their allies, including $20m from Musk.
The result is expected to have far-reaching implications, potentially even affecting the balance of power in the US Congress.
With about three-quarters of ballots tallied, Crawford had won about 55% of the vote, and Schimel had around 45%, according to the BBC’s US partner CBS.
The Dane county judge was formerly a private lawyer for Planned Parenthood and she backed abortion rights during her campaign.
Tuesday’s result was a setback for Trump in a crucial presidential swing state that he won by less than a percentage point last November.
However, he took consolation from fellow Republicans managing to hold on to two congressional seats in Florida elections on Tuesday.
