Brad Schimel’s loss to Judge Susan Crawford last week should serve as a wake-up call for Republicans nationwide. Despite a massive financial investment from Elon Musk and an endorsement from President Trump, the conservative Schimel lost decisively, preserving the Wisconsin Supreme Court’s 4-3 liberal majority.

This disappointing defeat in what once was a conservative area is a cautionary tale for Republicans, and it confirms that local government threatens the future of the Republican Party on a national level.

Local government is always a proving ground for liberty-focused principles like limited government, fiscal responsibility and growth via business development (as opposed to high taxes). City councils, county boards and state courts don’t just implement policy — they substantially influence the political landscape where national battles are won or lost. The Wisconsin Supreme Court race is a bold example of this idea. Now,........

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