A Wisconsin Democratic leader says Elon Musk wants to buy his way to influence in the state, but warned the world's richest man that the plan could backfire.
Wisconsin Democratic Party Chair Ben Wikler appeared on MSNBC on Sunday, where he was asked to weigh in on Musk's foray into Wisconsin judicial elections.
Asked about Musk's plan to offer money to certain individuals in connection with a state supreme court election, Wikler noted, "It's a crime to offer someone something of value in order to induce them to vote, or to not vote."
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He continued:
"But whatever happens with the court, what we know is that Elon Musk sees Brad Schimel as someone who's for sale because he's seen that Brad Schimel has been for sale throughout his career, and Brad Schimel and Elon Musk are desperate and willing to try anything to win in this election."
Wikler then added, "I think that voters are going to reject that kind of corruption."
"They want a common sense judge who rules no matter who's in front of them, whether they're the richest person in the world or a regular person, that everyone gets the same set of laws," he added. "They don't want someone who gives special treatment to their ultra wealthy, far-right campaign backers, so I think that there's a real chance that this backfires on Elon Musk, on Brad Schimel, and that voters choose Susan Crawford in part to say absolutely not to this hurricane of money."