Joseph Seifert
Joseph Seifert (b. 1961 in Muskego, Wis.) was a 2016 candidate for the Racine County Circuit Court in Wisconsin.[1] The general election took place on April 5, 2016.
Seifert was a 2015 candidate for the Racine County Circuit Court in Wisconsin.[2]
Biography
Seifert received a B.S. in global business from the University of the State of New York-Excelsior, and a J.D. from Ohio State University Moritz College of Law.[3] Seifert is a private practice attorney with Seifert & Associates.[3]
Campaign themes
2016
Seifert participated in Ballotpedia's 2016 survey of local judicial candidates. The following sections display his responses to the survey questions. When asked what non-judicial legal experience qualifies him to be a judge, the candidate made the following statement:
| “ | The experience that I have accumulated in 35 years of litigation, business, public service, law enforcement and community involvement has provided me with a well balanced view and greater understanding of the issues and needs of individuals and business alike. As a practicing lawyer, I have spent many hours in the courtroom where I have both observed and participated in the legal process. Having experienced many different judges in my career, I have developed an appreciation of the effort and resolve that it takes to provide the quality of service that we need. I have a strong work ethic and I am committed to continually improving myself and providing the type of balance and fairness that everyone deserves. Overall I am committed to fairness and integrity and I will ensure a level playing for all attorneys.[4][5] | ” |
When asked why he was running for this particular court seat, the candidate made the following statement:
| “ | Public service has always been part of my life. I have held both elected as well as appointed offices, I have served on various committees and I have volunteered and assisted community organizations. My family has a long history in Racine County and I am looking forward to serving the people of Racine County. After having practiced law in front of dozens of judges throughout the years, I realize that as Judge I can be more effective and contribute greatly to Racine County and its judicial system. We need more judges that that truly desire to be fair and are committed to the common man. My promise to Racine County is that I will be fair, continue to stay current and correctly apply the law and work hard to ensure that everyone is fully heard. At this point in my life, as a judge I can fully utilize my knowledge and experience and I can provide the most benefit.[4][5] | ” |
When asked to identify one judge, past or present, who he admires, the candidate made the following statement:
| “ | Judge Ralph Ramirez, Waukesha. In my experience, Judge Ramirez maintains a strong ethic and perseveres to be fair and adhere to the law, regardless of his personal inclinations. He makes a concerted effort to apply the rules equally and provide each party with full opportunity to be heard and present their case. His decisions are well thought out and balanced.[4][5] | ” |
When asked about his primary concern regarding today's judicial system in his state, the candidate made the following statement:
| “ | I would like to advocate for a simpler system that enables the average citizen to comfortably participate whether one is a victim of a crime, an accused, has a civil dispute or chooses to advocate for oneself. Courts should be more accessible to people and the processes should be more easily understood by the layman.[4][5] | ” |
Seifert also offered these additional comments on the survey:
| “ |
a. Keep the community safe by intervening to prevent violators from becoming repeat criminals and keeping criminals off the streets. |
” |
| —Joseph Seifert (2016), [4] | ||
Elections
2016
Wisconsin held general elections for local judicial offices on April 5, 2016. A primary election took place on February 16, 2016. The filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was January 5, 2016. Mark Nielsen defeated Joseph Seifert in the Racine County Circuit Court general election for Branch 4.[1]
| Racine County Circuit Court (Branch 4), General Election, 2016 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Vote % | Votes |
 Mark Nielsen |
67.77% | 16,321 |
| Joseph Seifert | 32.23% | 7,763 |
| Total Votes | 24,084 | |
| Source: Racine County Elections, "Individual Results," accessed April 5, 2016 | ||
Selection method
- See also: Nonpartisan election of judges
The 241 judges of the Wisconsin Circuit Courts are elected in nonpartisan elections to six-year terms. All judges must run for re-election if they wish to continue serving after their term expires.[6]
The chief judge of each circuit court is chosen by the state supreme court to serve a two-year term.[6]
Qualifications
To serve on the circuit courts, a judge must be:[6]
- a qualified elector in the state;
- a qualified elector of his or her circuit (for circuit judges); and
- licensed to practice law in the state for at least five years.
2015
- See also: Wisconsin judicial elections, 2015
| General election, 2015 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Vote % | Votes |
| Allan Torhorst Incumbent |
66% | 16,430 |
| Joseph Seifert | 34% | 8,475 |
| Total Votes | 24,905 | |
See also
- Wisconsin Circuit Courts
- Racine County, Wisconsin
- Wisconsin judicial elections, 2015
- Local trial court judicial elections, 2016
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Wisconsin Government Accountability Board, "Candidates Registered by Office," accessed January 12, 2016
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Wisconsin Government Accountability Board, "Candidates Registered 2015 Spring Election," January 8, 2015
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Seifert & Associates, "Joseph W. Seifert," accessed January 14, 2015
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 Ballotpedia's local judicial candidate survey, 2016, "Joseph Seifert's Responses," March 17, 2016
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 American Judicature Society, "Methods of Judicial Selection: Wisconsin," archived October 3, 2014
- ↑ Wisconsin Government Accountability Board, "2015 Spring Election Results"
Federal courts:
Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals • U.S. District Court: Eastern District of Wisconsin, Western District of Wisconsin • U.S. Bankruptcy Court: Eastern District of Wisconsin, Western District of Wisconsin
State courts:
Wisconsin Supreme Court • Wisconsin Court of Appeals • Wisconsin Circuit Courts • Wisconsin Municipal Courts
State resources:
Courts in Wisconsin • Wisconsin judicial elections • Judicial selection in Wisconsin
