Fred Strampe (Waukesha County Circuit Court Branch 6, Wisconsin, candidate 2025)

Fred Strampe

Nonpartisan

Candidate, Waukesha County Circuit Court Branch 6

Elections and appointments

Last election

April 1, 2025

Education

High school

Wausau East High School

Military

Service / branch

U.S. Army

Years of service

1991 - 1994

Personal

Profession

Attorney

Contact

Campaign website

Campaign Facebook

Campaign Instagram

Fred Strampe ran for election to the Waukesha County Circuit Court Branch 6 in Wisconsin. Strampe was on the ballot in the general election on April 1, 2025.

Strampe completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. Click here to read the survey answers.

Biography

Fred Strampe provided the following biographical information via Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey on February 6, 2025:

• High school: Wausau East High School
• Bachelor's: United States Military Academy at West Point, 1990
• J.D.: University of Wisconsin Madison, 1997
• Military service: United States Army, 1991-1994
• Profession: Attorney
• Incumbent officeholder: No
• Campaign slogan: Experience Matters
• Campaign website
• Campaign endorsements
• Campaign Facebook
• Campaign Instagram

Elections

General election

General election for Waukesha County Circuit Court Branch 6

Fred Strampe and Zach Wittchow ran in the general election for Waukesha County Circuit Court Branch 6 on April 1, 2025.

		Candidate
		Fred Strampe (Nonpartisan)
	Submit photo	Zach Wittchow (Nonpartisan)

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	Incumbency information for this election was not available.
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Endorsements

Strampe received the following endorsements. To view a full list of Strampe's endorsements as published by their campaign, click here.

• Working Families Party
• Waukesha County (WI) Democratic Party
• Wisconsin Muslim Civic Alliance

Campaign themes

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Fred Strampe completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Strampe's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

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Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

My name is Fred Strampe, an attorney with over 25 years of experience, a former Waukesha County Circuit Court Judge, and a U.S. Army veteran. My journey began at the United States Military Academy at West Point, where I served as an Infantry Officer in Germany. After my military service, I earned my law degree from the University of Wisconsin Law School and became a respected civil litigator, eventually leading a 50-person law firm as President.

In 2022, I was honored to serve as a Waukesha County Circuit Court Judge, presiding over more than 600 criminal cases, numerous trials, and over 3,000 hearings.

Beyond my professional life, I've been deeply involved in our community for over 20 years, volunteering as a high school football referee and participating in local organizations like the Waukesha YMCA and the American Legion.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

• Experience Matters — With a career as a Waukesha County Circuit Court Judge and over 20 years as a leading civil litigator, I have the experience needed to uphold the highest standards of justice. My time on the bench taught me the importance of applying the law with precision and fairness, while my years in the courtroom have prepared me to handle even the most complex cases. Experience matters—especially when it comes to protecting our community.
• Establish Waukesha County Veterans Treatment Court — As a U.S. Army veteran, I am committed to standing by those who have served our country. My mission is to establish a Veterans Treatment Court in Waukesha County—a proven approach to helping veterans address the challenges of post-service life. This program will hold participants accountable while providing them with critical resources to heal, rebuild, and thrive.
• Protecting Our Community — The safety and well-being of Waukesha County are my top priorities. I am committed to ensuring that every individual who steps into the courtroom is treated with dignity and respect and that justice is applied equally and without bias. Protecting our community means upholding the rule of law with unwavering fairness, maintaining public trust, and working tirelessly to keep our community safe.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I am passionate about ensuring the efficient operation of our courts, fostering public confidence in the legal system, and maintaining a strong commitment to the fair application of the law. I also believe in exploring approaches to improve the effectiveness of our judicial system while respecting its foundational principles.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

The core responsibilities include ensuring fair and impartial application of the law, managing court proceedings efficiently, and maintaining public confidence in the legal system by upholding the highest standards of integrity and professionalism.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

The first historical event I remember is the launch of the last mission to the moon. I was about six years old when I watched the Apollo rockets separate on TV. My mother told me to pay attention because this wouldn’t happen again for a long time. I doubt she imagined that, more than 50 years later, we would still be waiting for the next moon mission.

Are there any little-known powers or responsibilities held by this office that you believe more people should be aware of?

In addition to overseeing conventional court proceedings, judges can preside over specialty courts, such as Veterans Treatment Courts, which address the unique challenges faced by those who have served in the military. That’s why I am committed to establishing the first Veterans Treatment Court in Waukesha County, the third-largest county in Wisconsin. This specialized court is essential for providing veterans with the accountability, resources, and support they need to overcome obstacles and successfully reintegrate into the community.

Is there a particular judge, past or present, whom you admire?

I have tremendous admiration for Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes. As a young man, he served in the Union Army during the Civil War. After the war, he completed his education and built a distinguished legal career, ultimately rising to the U.S. Supreme Court, where he served for decades. Over the course of his lifetime, the nation evolved from horsepower to the internal combustion engine, and Holmes played a crucial role in ensuring that the law adapted to an ever-changing society. His lifelong dedication to public service is truly admirable.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

Our campaign is honored to have the endorsement of over 60 current and former judges, attorneys, and community leaders who believe in my commitment to fairness, integrity, and the rule of law. Their support reflects the broad trust in my ability to serve Waukesha County with experience and dedication.

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

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Candidate

Waukesha County Circuit Court Branch 6

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