GREEN BAY, Wis. – State Representatives Amaad Rivera-Wagner and Lee Snodgrass renewed their call for stronger protections against election bribery after Wisconsin election officials referred two complaints involving Elon Musk to the district attorney for review following the 2025 Wisconsin Supreme Court election.
Within 48 hours of Musk’s appearance at the KI Convention Center in Green Bay, thousands of Wisconsinites from across the political spectrum gathered outside to protest the use of million-dollar giveaways and financial incentives to influence the election.
In response, Rivera-Wagner and Snodgrass introduced legislation to make explicit what they believed Wisconsin law already made clear: offering money or valuable prizes to influence participation in an election has no place in our democracy. Despite the public concern surrounding the issue, the bill never received a hearing or vote.
“Whether someone has a few dollars or billions, the same rules should apply,” said Rep. Lee Snodgrass. “Our democracy depends on the public believing elections cannot be bought. Our legislation was about protecting that trust and ensuring every Wisconsin voter knows their voice carries more weight than anyone’s bank account.”
“This has never been about just one billionaire. It is about whether unlimited wealth should be allowed to drown out the voices of ordinary people,” said Rep. Amaad Rivera-Wagner. “Within 48 hours, thousands of people from across the political spectrum stood outside the KI Center because they understood something fundamental: democracy is not for sale. No billionaire, corporation, or special interest should be able to buy more political power than the people.”
Rivera-Wagner and Snodgrass called on legislative leaders to revisit their proposal and strengthen Wisconsin’s election laws before another election is overshadowed by questions about whether extraordinary wealth can purchase extraordinary political influence.
“Wisconsin elections should be decided by voters, not by the size of someone’s fortune,” the lawmakers said. “Every person deserves an equal voice in our democracy.”
