Scott Bauer, The Associated Press

While National Newswatch does not keep an archive of external articles for longer than 6 months, we do keep all articles written by contributors who post directly to our site. Here you will find all of the contributed and linked external articles from Scott Bauer, The Associated Press.

Elon Musk's pullback from politics comes after his last big investment was a flop

Elon Musk's pullback from politics comes after his last big investment was a flop

MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- Wisconsin could go down as billionaire Elon Musk's last big spend on a political campaign.

Judge who previously fought for abortion rights wants to join Wisconsin Supreme Court

Judge who previously fought for abortion rights wants to join Wisconsin Supreme Court

MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- A Wisconsin appeals court judge who was an outspoken supporter of abortion rights in the state Legislature and is a former policy director for Planned Parenthood announced Tuesday that she is running for the Wisconsin Supreme Court.

Wisconsin Republicans kill marijuana legalization and tax increases for millionaires

Wisconsin Republicans kill marijuana legalization and tax increases for millionaires

MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- Republicans who control the Wisconsin Legislature voted Thursday to kill most of the top spending priorities of Democratic Gov. Tony Evers, including legalizing marijuana, even as both sides negotiate a tax cut.

Democrats ask Wisconsin Supreme Court to toss state's congressional boundaries

Democrats ask Wisconsin Supreme Court to toss state's congressional boundaries

MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- Democratic voters on Thursday asked the liberal-controlled Wisconsin Supreme Court to throw out the battleground state's current congressional district boundaries after a similar request was rejected last year.

Wisconsin governor says he's not afraid after Trump official suggests possible arrest

Wisconsin governor says he's not afraid after Trump official suggests possible arrest

MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers said Friday that every American should be concerned about "chilling" suggestions from President Donald Trump's top border adviser that he could be arrested over guidance the Democrat issued to state employees about what to do if confronted by federal immigration agents.

Republican county leader Josh Schoemann enters Wisconsin governor's race

MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- Republican Josh Schoemann, the top elected official in a suburban Milwaukee county, this week created a committee to run for governor in 2026, making him the first candidate from either major party to get into the race.

Same candidate, two parties. A Wisconsin lawsuit aims to bring back fusion voting

Same candidate, two parties. A Wisconsin lawsuit aims to bring back fusion voting

MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- Voters in Wisconsin could be seeing double on Election Day if the practice of fusion voting -- which allows the same candidate to appear on the ballot under multiple party lines -- makes a comeback in the battleground state.

Wisconsin governor can lock in 400-year school funding increase using a veto, court says

Wisconsin governor can lock in 400-year school funding increase using a veto, court says

MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- The Democratic governor of Wisconsin's creative use of his uniquely powerful veto can lock in a school funding increase for 400 years, the state Supreme Court ruled Friday.

Liberal to take over as chief justice on Wisconsin Supreme Court

MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- The next chief justice of the Wisconsin Supreme Court will come from the liberal majority of justices, as the court announced Thursday that the conservative who currently holds the mostly honorary position will be replaced.

Wisconsin Supreme Court to tackle abortion, unions and redistricting after a liberal's win

Wisconsin Supreme Court to tackle abortion, unions and redistricting after a liberal's win

MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- Susan Crawford's Wisconsin Supreme Court election victory over a conservative candidate backed by President Donald Trump and billionaire Elon Musk cemented a liberal majority on the state's top court for at least three more years and dealt a devastating blow to Republicans who fear it paves the way for rulings that will overturn or block the...

Abortion, unions and redistricting cases await the Wisconsin Supreme Court after a liberal's win

Abortion, unions and redistricting cases await the Wisconsin Supreme Court after a liberal's win

MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- Susan Crawford's Wisconsin Supreme Court election victory over a conservative candidate backed by President Donald Trump and billionaire Elon Musk cemented a liberal majority on the state's top court for at least three more years and dealt a devastating blow to Republicans who fear it paves the way for a wide array of rulings that will...

Who is Susan Crawford? Wisconsin Supreme Court winner has fought for union and abortion rights

Who is Susan Crawford? Wisconsin Supreme Court winner has fought for union and abortion rights

MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- Susan Crawford, winner of Tuesday's race to fill a key seat on the Wisconsin Supreme Court, was backed by national Democrats and made opposition to Elon Musk a centerpiece of her campaign.

Democratic-backed Susan Crawford wins Wisconsin Supreme Court seat, cementing liberal majority

Democratic-backed Susan Crawford wins Wisconsin Supreme Court seat, cementing liberal majority

MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- The Democratic-backed candidate for Wisconsin Supreme Court defeated a challenger endorsed by President Donald Trump and billionaire Elon Musk on Tuesday, cementing a liberal majority for at least three more years.

Wisconsin votes to enshrine voter ID requirement in state constitution

Wisconsin votes to enshrine voter ID requirement in state constitution

MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- Wisconsin voters decided Tuesday to enshrine a voter ID law in the state constitution.

'Historic turnout' in Wisconsin Supreme Court race that drew powerful political interests

'Historic turnout' in Wisconsin Supreme Court race that drew powerful political interests

MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- Unprecedented turnout led to ballot shortages in Wisconsin's largest city Tuesday as voters cast ballots in "historic" numbers to decide a Supreme Court race pitting one candidate backed by President Donald Trump against another aligned with Democrats.

Strong turnout in Wisconsin Supreme Court race that drew powerful political interests

Strong turnout in Wisconsin Supreme Court race that drew powerful political interests

MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- Strong turnout led to ballot shortages in Wisconsin's largest city Tuesday as voters cast ballots in high numbers to decide a Supreme Court race pitting one candidate backed by President Donald Trump against another aligned with Democrats.

Control of the Wisconsin Supreme Court is at stake in a race that drew powerful political interests

Control of the Wisconsin Supreme Court is at stake in a race that drew powerful political interests

MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- Majority control of the Wisconsin Supreme Court will be decided Tuesday in a race that broke records for spending and has become a proxy battle for the nation's political fights, pitting a candidate backed by President Donald Trump against a Democratic-aligned challenger.

Control of the Wisconsin Supreme Court is at stake in race that's drawn powerful political interests

Control of the Wisconsin Supreme Court is at stake in race that's drawn powerful political interests

MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- Majority control of the Wisconsin Supreme Court will be decided Tuesday in a race that broke records for spending and has become a proxy battle for the nation's political fights, pitting a candidate backed by President Donald Trump against a Democratic-aligned challenger.

Wisconsin voters to choose top education official and consider voter ID amendment

Wisconsin voters to choose top education official and consider voter ID amendment

MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- Wisconsin's top education official, who will guide policies affecting K-12 schools during President Donald Trump's second term, will be elected Tuesday in a race between the teachers union-backed incumbent and a Republican-supported critic.

Wisconsin Supreme Court candidates make final push amid high spending, voting

Wisconsin Supreme Court candidates make final push amid high spending, voting

MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- President Donald Trump's preferred candidate for Wisconsin Supreme Court and his Democratic-backed challenger made a final blitz across the state on Monday, the day before voting concludes in a race where early turnout has surged and spending is nearing $100 million.

Wisconsin Supreme Court refuses to take case challenging Elon Musk's $1 million payments

Wisconsin Supreme Court refuses to take case challenging Elon Musk's $1 million payments

MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- A unanimous Wisconsin Supreme Court on Sunday refused to hear a last-minute attempt by the state's Democratic attorney general to stop billionaire Elon Musk from handing over $1 million checks to two voters, a ruling that came just minutes before the planned start of the rally.

Wisconsin's attorney general asks the state Supreme Court to stop Musk's $1 million payments

Wisconsin's attorney general asks the state Supreme Court to stop Musk's $1 million payments

MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- Wisconsin's attorney general on Sunday asked the liberal-controlled state Supreme Court to stop billionaire Elon Musk from handing over $1 million checks to two voters, an appeal that came hours before President Donald Trump's ally planned the giveaway at an evening rally.

Wisconsin attorney general sues Elon Musk to block $1 million payment offers

Wisconsin attorney general sues Elon Musk to block $1 million payment offers

MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- Wisconsin's Democratic attorney general asked a court on Friday to block billionaire Elon Musk from handing out $1 million checks to voters this weekend, just two days before the state's hotly contested Supreme Court race was to be decided.

Musk changes reason for visiting Wisconsin to hand out $2 million ahead of Supreme Court election

Musk changes reason for visiting Wisconsin to hand out $2 million ahead of Supreme Court election

MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- Billionaire Elon Musk on Friday clarified his reasons for visiting Wisconsin two days ahead of its hotly contested Supreme Court election after deleting a social media post saying he planned to "personally hand over" $2 million to a pair of voters who have already cast their ballots in the race.

Musk deletes post promising he'd go to Wisconsin to deliver $2 million to Supreme Court race voters

Musk deletes post promising he'd go to Wisconsin to deliver $2 million to Supreme Court race voters

MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- Billionaire Elon Musk on Friday deleted a social media post in which he had announced plans to hold a rally in Wisconsin to "personally hand over" $2 million to a pair of voters who have already cast their ballots in the state's hotly contested Supreme Court race.

Musk promises to go to Wisconsin to personally deliver $2 million to voters in Supreme Court race

Musk promises to go to Wisconsin to personally deliver $2 million to voters in Supreme Court race

MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- Billionaire Elon Musk said he plans to hold a rally in Wisconsin to "personally hand over" $2 million to a pair of voters who have already cast their ballots in the state's hotly contested Supreme Court race, despite a state law that prohibits giving anything of value in exchange for voting.

Musk announces $1 million for Wisconsin voter in Supreme Court race. Opposition calls it 'corrupt'

Musk announces $1 million for Wisconsin voter in Supreme Court race. Opposition calls it 'corrupt'

MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- Billionaire Elon Musk says a Wisconsin voter has been awarded $1 million days before the conclusion of a fiercely contested state Supreme Court election that has broken spending records and become a referendum on Musk and the first months of President Donald Trump's administration.

Early voting and spending surge in Wisconsin Supreme Court race that has drawn national attention

Early voting and spending surge in Wisconsin Supreme Court race that has drawn national attention

MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- Turnout during the first week of early voting ahead of Wisconsin's pivotal state Supreme Court race is far exceeding levels from another high-stakes election just two years ago, the latest sign of the intense interest in a contest that has obliterated spending records and drawn attention from President Donald Trump and his billionaire adviser, Elon Musk.

Trump backs Wisconsin Supreme Court candidate in hotly contested race

Trump backs Wisconsin Supreme Court candidate in hotly contested race

MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- President Donald Trump on Friday called on his supporters to vote for a candidate for the Wisconsin Supreme Court who already had the full-throated backing of Trump's billionaire adviser Elon Musk.

Musk group offers $100 to Wisconsin voters ahead of pivotal state Supreme Court election

Musk group offers $100 to Wisconsin voters ahead of pivotal state Supreme Court election

MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- A group funded by billionaire Elon Musk is offering Wisconsin voters $100 to sign a petition in opposition to "activist judges," a move that comes two weeks before the state's Supreme Court election and after the political action committee made a similar proposal last year in battleground states.

Republican-backed Wisconsin Supreme Court candidate resurfaces unproven fraud concerns

Republican-backed Wisconsin Supreme Court candidate resurfaces unproven fraud concerns

MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- The Republican-backed candidate in Wisconsin's closely watched state Supreme Court race has resurfaced long debunked concerns about voting fraud because of the late reporting of ballots in Milwaukee just two weeks before the April 1 election.

Early voting in Wisconsin Supreme Court race tests enthusiasm on both sides, with key cases likely

Early voting in Wisconsin Supreme Court race tests enthusiasm on both sides, with key cases likely

MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- Republicans and Democrats fighting for control of the Wisconsin Supreme Court will get a sense Tuesday of how energized their sides are with the start of early in-person voting for the hotly contested race.

Start of early voting in Wisconsin Supreme Court race will test enthusiasm on both sides

Start of early voting in Wisconsin Supreme Court race will test enthusiasm on both sides

MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- Republicans and Democrats fighting for control of the Wisconsin Supreme Court will get a sense Tuesday of how energized their sides are with the start of early in-person voting for the hotly contested race.

Trump Jr. casts Wisconsin Supreme Court race as key to advancing Trump's agenda

Trump Jr. casts Wisconsin Supreme Court race as key to advancing Trump's agenda

OCONOMOWOC, Wis. (AP) -- Donald Trump Jr. told Republicans at a Monday rally that a win in Wisconsin's high-stakes Supreme Court race is imperative to protect his father's agenda and maintain GOP momentum ahead of the 2026 midterms and the next presidential election.

Wisconsin voters to elect education leader and decide on voter ID amendment

Wisconsin voters to elect education leader and decide on voter ID amendment

MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- The high-stakes race for Wisconsin Supreme Court has gotten most of the attention leading up to the April 1 election. But it is not the only issue voters will decide when early voting begins Tuesday.

Abortion and Musk donations take center stage in Wisconsin Supreme Court debate

Abortion and Musk donations take center stage in Wisconsin Supreme Court debate

MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- Abortion rights and the influence of donations from billionaires Elon Musk and George Soros took center stage in a sometimes testy debate Wednesday between candidates for the Wisconsin Supreme Court less than three weeks before the election.

Wisconsin appeals court overturns ruling allowing for emailing ballots to disabled voters

Wisconsin appeals court overturns ruling allowing for emailing ballots to disabled voters

MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- A Wisconsin appeals court ruled Wednesday that disabled people are not allowed to receive absentee ballots by email, overturning a lower court's ruling less than three weeks before the April 1 election.

Wisconsin Supreme Court candidates to square off in their only debate in the hotly contested race

Wisconsin Supreme Court candidates to square off in their only debate in the hotly contested race

MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- Candidates in a race that will determine ideological control of the Wisconsin Supreme Court will square off Wednesday in their only scheduled debate before the April 1 election.

Wisconsin's DOGE-inspired effort gets off to more collegial start

Wisconsin's DOGE-inspired effort gets off to more collegial start

MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- Wisconsin's version of the Elon Musk-led effort charged with making government run more efficiently struck a more collegial, bipartisan tone in its first meeting Tuesday, taking input from Democrats and hearing testimony from a broad array of government leaders.

Wisconsin Democrats vent, cry and issue call to action to counter Musk and Trump

Wisconsin Democrats vent, cry and issue call to action to counter Musk and Trump

SAUK CITY, Wis. (AP) -- They came to vent and to cry and to exhort.

Wisconsin voters whose ballots were not counted in November election seek damages

Wisconsin voters whose ballots were not counted in November election seek damages

MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- Four Wisconsin voters whose ballots were not counted in the November presidential election initiated a class-action lawsuit Thursday seeking $175,000 in damages each.

Democrats vow to 'punch back' at Elon Musk in Wisconsin's high-stakes state Supreme Court race

Democrats vow to 'punch back' at Elon Musk in Wisconsin's high-stakes state Supreme Court race

MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- Democrats on Tuesday promised to "punch back" against Elon Musk in the race for control of the Wisconsin Supreme Court, casting the election as a referendum on the billionaire adviser to President Donald Trump.

Democrats promise to 'punch back' against Musk in Wisconsin court race

Democrats promise to 'punch back' against Musk in Wisconsin court race

MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- Democrats on Tuesday promised to "punch back" against Elon Musk in the race for control of the Wisconsin Supreme Court, casting the election as a referendum on the billionaire adviser to President Donald Trump.

Wisconsin audit of Trump win finds not a single voting machine error

Wisconsin audit of Trump win finds not a single voting machine error

MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- An audit of the November election won by President Donald Trump in swing-state Wisconsin found that not a single vote was counted incorrectly, altered or missed by tabulating machines, an audit determined.

Wisconsin Supreme Court candidate's criticism of liberal justices called 'disgusting'

Wisconsin Supreme Court candidate's criticism of liberal justices called 'disgusting'

MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- The Republican-backed candidate for Wisconsin Supreme Court accused the court's liberal majority, all women, of being "driven by their emotions" during oral arguments in an abortion rights case -- comments his challenger's campaign on Friday called "disgusting."

Wisconsin Supreme Court candidate's criticism of women justices called 'disgusting'

Wisconsin Supreme Court candidate's criticism of women justices called 'disgusting'

MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- The Republican-backed candidate for Wisconsin Supreme Court accused the court's liberal majority, all women, of being "driven by their emotions" during oral arguments in an abortion rights case -- comments his challenger's campaign on Friday called "disgusting."

Wisconsin Supreme Court candidates spar over Musk and Soros donations in high-stakes race

Wisconsin Supreme Court candidates spar over Musk and Soros donations in high-stakes race

MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- The Republican-backed candidate for Wisconsin Supreme Court race who has received the support of Elon Musk said Wednesday that it's more concerning that his Democratic-supported opponent is benefiting from donations by liberal philanthropist George Soros.

Democratic-backed candidate for Wisconsin Supreme Court decries Musk's involvement in race

Democratic-backed candidate for Wisconsin Supreme Court decries Musk's involvement in race

MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- The Democratic-backed candidate for a seat on the Wisconsin Supreme Court in a race that will determine whether liberals maintain their majority decried Elon Musk's involvement, saying Tuesday that the world's wealthiest man was "trying to buy a seat on our Supreme Court."

Clarification: Wisconsin Education Leader story

Clarification: Wisconsin Education Leader story

MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- In a Feb. 18 story about the race for Wisconsin education secretary, The Associated Press reported that Brittany Kinser is an advocate for private schools. The story should have made clear that Kinser is an advocate for the state's school choice program, which allows parents to send their kids to charter schools or use public money...

Incumbent Wisconsin schools leader and GOP-backed challenger advance in primary

Incumbent Wisconsin schools leader and GOP-backed challenger advance in primary

MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- Wisconsin's Democratic-backed incumbent state schools leader will face a Republican-supported challenger after both advanced in Tuesday's three-person primary.

Incumbent Democratic-backed Wisconsin education chief Underly advances in primary

Incumbent Democratic-backed Wisconsin education chief Underly advances in primary

MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- Wisconsin's Democratic-backed incumbent state schools leader advanced in Tuesday's three-person primary, overcoming challenges from a union-backed superintendent and an advocate for private schools supported by Republicans.

Wisconsin's Democratic governor calls for tax cuts, pushback on Trump's tariffs

Wisconsin's Democratic governor calls for tax cuts, pushback on Trump's tariffs

MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- Wisconsin's Democratic Gov. Tony Evers on Tuesday proposed cutting taxes by nearly $2 billion, echoing a priority of Republicans, while also outlining a plan to fight water pollution and push back on President Donald Trump's tariffs.

Wisconsin's Democratic governor calls for tax cuts, push back on Trump's tariffs

Wisconsin's Democratic governor calls for tax cuts, push back on Trump's tariffs

MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- Wisconsin's Democratic Gov. Tony Evers on Tuesday proposed cutting taxes by nearly $2 billion, echoing a priority of Republicans, while also outlining a plan to fight water pollution and push back on President Donald Trump's tariffs.

Wisconsin Supreme Court rules Republican had no right to bring lawsuit challenging mobile voting

MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- The Wisconsin Supreme Court ruled Tuesday that a Republican Party official lacked the standing to bring a lawsuit challenging the use of a mobile voting van in 2022.

Wisconsin voters to narrow the field of candidates for top education job

Wisconsin voters to narrow the field of candidates for top education job

MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- Voters on Tuesday were casting ballots to narrow the field in a three-way race for battleground Wisconsin's top education job, a post at the forefront in the state of the national fight over school funding during President Donald Trump's second term.

Wisconsin Supreme Court justice rejects Republican call to step down in key union case

Wisconsin Supreme Court justice rejects Republican call to step down in key union case

MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- A liberal Wisconsin Supreme Court justice on Wednesday rejected a Republican request that she not hear a pending case that seeks to restore collective bargaining rights that tens of thousands of teachers, nurses and other state workers lost in 2011.

Political parties, megadonors drop money on Wisconsin Supreme Court race

Political parties, megadonors drop money on Wisconsin Supreme Court race

MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- Billionaire megadonors are opening their wallets to influence the high-stakes race for control of the Wisconsin Supreme Court.

Wisconsin Supreme Court says swing state's embattled elections chief can remain in post

Wisconsin Supreme Court says swing state's embattled elections chief can remain in post

MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- A unanimous Wisconsin Supreme Court ruled Friday that the swing state's nonpartisan top elections official, who has been targeted for removal by Republican lawmakers over the 2020 presidential election, can remain in her post despite not being reappointed and confirmed by the state Senate.

Altered image of Wisconsin Supreme Court candidate in new ad raises ethics concerns

Altered image of Wisconsin Supreme Court candidate in new ad raises ethics concerns

MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- A new television attack ad in Wisconsin's hotly contested Supreme Court race features a doctored image of the liberal candidate, a move that her campaign claims could be a violation of a recently enacted state law.

Former Capitol police officer campaigns in Wisconsin against Republican-backed court candidate

Former Capitol police officer campaigns in Wisconsin against Republican-backed court candidate

MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- One of the most outspoken officers who defended the U.S. Capitol against rioters on Jan. 6, 2021, accused the Republican-backed candidate for Wisconsin Supreme Court on Tuesday of "clearly playing both sides" on the issue of pardoning of people who attacked the Capitol four years ago.