Last night’s judicial election in Wisconsin wasn’t just a local affair. It was a referendum, not just on partisan politics, but on whether our democratic institutions can still withstand the influence of wealth and power.
The race was saturated with outside money. The endorsements were loud. The stakes were high.
And the voters still said no.
Judge Susan Crawford’s victory, in a state deeply divided and heavily targeted, shows that judicial independence still matters. It shows that turnout can be driven by values — not just fear or fatigue. It shows that grassroots organizing can overcome even the most well-funded efforts to privatize public power.
The lesson: When people show up, democracy holds the line.
This wasn’t a sweeping national win. But it was a meaningful local victory that hints at what’s possible. And in an era when cynicism has been weaponized, small victories like this one remind us why the fight still matters.