Elon Musk and his political operatives have tried to shape the closely watched Wisconsin Supreme Court race in ways that are not immediately obvious but could be critical to Tuesday’s outcome.

WICHITA, Kan. - Koch Industries is unlike any other company. David Koch, 79, who died Friday, and his brother Charles, 83, have owned the company since their father passed away in 1967. Koch Industries started under the name Wood River Oil and Refining Company in 1940. They were offered the chance in the early 1980s to take the company public and have a huge initial payday. So, they started a modest advertising campaign to try to burnish the reputation of the Koch Industries name.

Lars Niki/Getty ImagesBillionaire American businessman David Koch has died at the age of 79, multiple news outlets reported Friday. Koch stepped down from Koch Industries last year, as well as his political network Americans for Prosperity Foundation, citing his declining health. The conservative activist and philanthropist had co-owned Koch Industries -- an energy and chemical company based in Nebraska -- with his brother, Charles, since 1983. A cause of death has not yet been announced. Copyright 2019 by WPLG Local10.com - All rights reserved.