Susan Crawford defeats Brad Schimel in most expensive US judicial election ever, a major win for the Democrats. Plus, Israel announces plan to seize ‘large areas’ of GazaDon’t already get First Thing in your inbox? Sign up hereGood morning.The liberal judge Susan Crawford won the race for a se at on the Wisconsin supreme court on Tuesday in a big coup for Democrats, after Elon Musk backed the conservative candidate, making it the most expensive judicial contest in US history.How important is this for liberals? It’s a big win. They will retain their 4-3 ideological majority on the state supreme court, which will hear cases about abortion and collective bargaining.How did the campaign organisers pull it off? Milwaukee reported record turnout, even running out of ballots in some polling places. Democrats said Musk’s involvement had galvanised people to get involved in grassroots efforts.What’s on the table? Potentially reciprocal tariffs on the US’s trading partners, as well as 25% tariffs on all imports from Mexico and Canada.Which tariffs are already in force? A 20% tariff on all Chinese imports, 25% on all steel and aluminium imports, and a 10% tariff on energy imports from Canada. Continue reading... ...read more read less