During his “Fighting Oligarchy” Tour, Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) addressed a crowd in Altoona, Wisconsin, where he condemned Elon Musk’s financial donations to conservative candidate Brad Schimel in the upcoming Wisconsin Supreme Court election.

In response, Schimel remarked on Sanders’ presence in Wisconsin, highlighting what he deemed hypocrisy from the senator. “It’s funny that Bernie’s in Wisconsin trying to influence this election and complaining that somebody else might be having interest in this election,” Schimel stated in an exclusive interview with Fox News.

Contrasting Approaches to Political Influence

A spokesperson for Sanders emphasized the differences between the senator’s grassroots mobilization efforts and Musk’s financial contributions. Anna Bahr, Sanders’ communications director, stated, “Bernie is mobilizing people; Musk has mobilized over 6 million in ad expenditures.” She argued that Sanders is committed to democratic principles, advocating for a system where every vote matters, while labeling Musk’s approach as an effort to buy electoral outcomes.

Importance of the Upcoming Election

The April 1 election is pivotal for the Wisconsin Supreme Court’s ideological balance. While candidates assume a nonpartisan stance, Schimel is receiving backing from Republicans, while Democrat Susan Crawford gains support from her party. Experts predict it may become the most expensive judicial election in Wisconsin’s history, with significant financial contributions flowing from Musk’s PACs to Schimel’s campaign. The Wisconsin Democratic Party has responded with substantial donations aimed at bolstering Crawford’s candidacy.

In his speeches, Sanders warned voters of the implications of billionaires influencing political landscapes. “Musk spent some $270 million to help Trump get elected, and his reward is that he was made the most powerful person in the U.S. government,” he stated, further commenting on Musk’s intervention in state-level elections.

Campaign Finance Reform Advocacy

Sanders is vigorously advocating for campaign finance reform, which he believes is essential for addressing the corrupting influence of money in politics. He called for the public funding of elections, urging voters to consider the broader consequences of allowing wealthy individuals to impact judicial and political processes substantially.

“We’ve got to deal with this corrupt campaign finance system. We’ve got to overturn Citizens United,” Sanders asserted, emphasizing the need for structural changes to protect electoral integrity.

Responses to Criticism

The Democratic National Committee echoed Sanders’ sentiments in a statement emphasizing that residents of Wisconsin oppose Musk’s attempt to influence elections. DNC Deputy Executive Director Libby Schneider remarked, “Wisconsin voters don’t like Elon Musk running our federal government and they don’t want him buying elections in Wisconsin either.”

Schimel, on the other hand, defended his position by framing the debates around judicial activism versus adherence to the law, characterizing judicial liberals as “activists” who ignore legal frameworks to fulfill agendas aligned with their contributors. He also acknowledged the necessity of accepting donations to compete effectively in the electoral race.