What to Watch in Todays Big Elections in Wisconsin and Florida

Two states nearly a thousand miles apart will on Tuesday provide the best evidence yet of whether President Trump and his Republican allies maintain robust support or whether they face a growing backlash led by a re-energized Democratic Party.In Wisconsin, a nearly $100 million race for control of the State Supreme Court has morphed from an important clash over the state’s direction into a referendum on Elon Musk’s supersized role in national politics.In Florida, one of two special elections for deep-red House seats suddenly seems too close for comfort for Republicans.Democrats, while still expecting to lose, are watching the margins closely for signs that their party is ascendant.Here are five big questions heading into Tuesday’s elections.Will Elon Musk’s millions pay off?Mr.

Musk’s support for Brad Schimel, the conservative candidate in Wisconsin, has been a full-service political operation.The billionaire and groups tied to him have spent more than $25 million, financing a potent ground game.An army of $25-an-hour canvassers has knocked on Trump voters’ doors, and pallets of glossy mailers have assured Republicans that Judge Schimel is a Trump ally.

A conservative nonprofit with ties to Mr.Musk has helped blanket the airwaves with ads bashing the liberal candidate, Susan Crawford, as weak on crime.

And Mr.Musk’s giving includes $3 million to the Republican Party of Wisconsin, which has funneled the money to help Judge Schimel.We are having trouble retrieving the article content.Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings.Thank you for your patience while we verify access.

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