Local, state election results will have direct impact both practically, ideologically

Wisconsinites gathered at the polls for two major elections on Tuesday, April 1. The much publicized, and nationally monitored, race for the state Supreme Court between Brad Schimel and Susan Crawford proved to be impactful on the court’s party majority. Despite the court being a supposedly non-partisan position, Schimel and Crawford stand on opposite ends of the ideological spectrum, and the latter’s election ensured a more liberal slant to the state’s highest court. Another major election positively impacted the Oshkosh School District Referendum, as its passage will bring several changes to local schools. 

In the time before the state Supreme Court election, both candidates’ campaigns made their perspectives obvious. Crawford pushed liberalism with a pro-choice and pro-union stance, while Schimel called for the return of the abortion law from 1849, which would prohibit abortion with the exception of a few cases, as well as a strong stance on law enforcement. Schimel also gained support from the Wisconsin Farm Bureau for his support of Wisconsin farms which had gained him more attention during this time. He was personally supported by Donald Trump and partially funded with $21 million by Elon Musk. Total spending of the race racked in at over $90,000,000 between the two candidates, an unheard of amount for an offseason election. 

Musk, who promised $100 to any registered voter who signed a petition against “activist judges,” a term used by Republicans to refer to liberal judges who could vote based on their opinions, hoped that his spending would propel Schimel to victory. However, he may have had the effect of alienating voters, like senior Nicole Osborne. 

“It definitely affected my vote because I knew I didn’t want someone that could be won over by money, or that’s trying to use these cheap tactics to get votes for themselves,” she said. 

As she cast her ballot, Osborne considered how well the state Supreme Court will preserve the people’s rights in its upcoming rulings.

“I’m definitely glad that my candidate won,” she said. “I feel like that gives more equality in the Supreme Court just because if the Republican side had won, they would have the majority and a lot more Republican bills would have been passed. I know that the Supreme Court needs equal sides for democracy, because otherwise it’s not going to pertain to all of America, and that’s how democracy works.”

Science teacher Logan Martilla believes this election, and Crawford’s victory, will prove to have a significant influence. 

“There were a lot of rights at stake, and it was for the control of a swing state,” he said. “There was also a very large outside factor pouring large amounts of money into one candidate. So the election results ended up proving that Wisconsin cannot be bought or gerrymandered in the future to suppress voters.”

He fears many voted based on campaign advertisements instead of actual knowledge of the issues.

“I believe they shared very similar values, and/or politics has been incredibly polarized in the presidential election,” he said. “So people are voting for a candidate in the party without knowing their views.”

Social studies teacher Patrick Bertram worries about how gerrymandering was a hot topic on this year’s ballot. 

“I think every election cycle, there is some issue that we’re very concerned about,” he said. “Right now, they've been talking about gerrymandering for the past couple of years.”

He recognized support for both sides. 

“Republicans were saying that if you don’t vote for Schimel and you vote for Crawford instead, that might change the way the congressional districts are drawn and might hurt Republicans,” he said. “Others can say if you get it more balanced, you can get more rules in place that make sure you have even competition and a fair election. I can’t think of a year where people didn’t feel that way.”

Bertram notes that this election reflected wider trends in state politics. 

“Recently there’s been a lot more tension into Wisconsin because it is truly a swing state,” he said. “I'm just hoping that the people that we voted in do the right thing, we can understand why they’re doing it, and they’re doing what’s best for students in the Department of Education.” 

Aside from statewide races, a passed referendum to extend $197.8 million in funding for the Oshkosh Area School District will have a major impact on the area’s students and teachers. Bertram described the importance of the projects that will be funded by the referendum. 

“They’re going to be building a new middle school, replacing a 120-year-old building, and they’re going to be able to get North an auditorium, which will take some pressure off of Alberta Kimball,” he said. 

English teacher Abigail Van Eeckhout was pleased with the results of the referendum vote. 

“I’m always happy to see students getting more resources,” she said. “But I know it was a very debated referendum, and I do acknowledge that there are some things in those packages, such as air conditioning for some of our elementary schools, which is overdue.”

Van Eeckhout sees the close referendum results (the motion passed by only around 500 votes) as evidence of the importance of the issue to the community. 

 “One of the great things of such a close vote is that it shows that our community members are active and trying to think through these issues rather than blindly voting ‘yes’ or ‘no’,” she said. “I really hope we can continue the conversation as a community about what we need as a school district, both for the students here and the taxpayers whose voices do need to be heard.”

Van Eeckhout understands the rationale behind such a close vote.. 

“I know that some people were against the sort of mega-school creation, and I think that’s a valid concern,” she said. “People want to feel that their children are getting as much one-on-one experience within a public school. I know that people were also concerned about the very quick restructuring that happened due to the zoning restrictions the board was not initially told about.”

Van Eeckhout personally hopes that more actions like those on the referendum are taken for the sake of the district’s education system. 

“Of course I’m a teacher and hope that our students get the best resources possible in order to grow as a community,” she said. “Whether that is better or newer school buildings, or new things for us technology-wise.”

This election was the first opportunity many students had to vote. West’s student council organized events to help students register. Osborne was excited to express her voice with representatives and local leaders in the April election, which was the first time she was eligible to vote.

“I think in local elections, it’s even more important to vote because these are issues that are directly going to affect you, such as the school district asking for more money,” she said. 

Van Eeckhout knows that the voice of the community, regardless of which way it leans, is inherently valuable. 

“I honestly hope that we continue to have these debates and engagement in the community about our school district,” she said. “All voices are good voices and I hope that we continue to educate ourselves in the entirety.”

by Kaylee Beck

Published April 28th, 2025

Oshkosh West Index Volume 121 Issue VII