Musk-Funded PAC Books $1.6M in Ads to Sway Wisconsin High Court

Building America’s Future, a political group backed by billionaire Elon Musk, is planning to spend $1.6 million on ads to help elect a conservative lawyer to the state supreme court to replace a retiring liberal justice.

A victory for former state attorney general Brad Schimel would give conservative judges a majority on the state’s highest court, and the spending in Wisconsin suggests how wealthy donors including Musk will try to influence state judicial bodies and local elections.

Brad Schimel speaks at a 2018 rally.

Photographer: Daniel Acker/Bloomberg

Such races have become increasingly important — and more expensive — in recent years, as state courts assume more authority on ...