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Wisconsin judicial elections, 2014: Difference between revisions
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The '''Wisconsin judicial elections''' were the earliest in the nation, concluding in April. In 2014, the following counties saw contested judicial elections for the circuit courts: [[Dunn County Circuit Court, Wisconsin|Dunn]], [[Florence/Forest Counties Circuit Court, Wisconsin|Florence]], [[Florence/Forest Counties Circuit Court, Wisconsin|Forest]], [[Jefferson County Circuit Court, Wisconsin|Jefferson]], [[Milwaukee County Circuit Court, Wisconsin|Milwaukee]] and [[Waupaca County Circuit Court, Wisconsin|Waupaca]]. | The 2014 '''Wisconsin judicial elections''' were the earliest in the nation, concluding in April. In 2014, the following counties saw contested judicial elections for the circuit courts: [[Dunn County Circuit Court, Wisconsin|Dunn]], [[Florence/Forest Counties Circuit Court, Wisconsin|Florence]], [[Florence/Forest Counties Circuit Court, Wisconsin|Forest]], [[Jefferson County Circuit Court, Wisconsin|Jefferson]], [[Milwaukee County Circuit Court, Wisconsin|Milwaukee]] and [[Waupaca County Circuit Court, Wisconsin|Waupaca]]. | ||
===Election dates=== | ===Election dates=== | ||
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''See also: [[JP Election Brief: Who's qualified? Courts, candidates and special interest groups all want a say]]'' | ''See also: [[JP Election Brief: Who's qualified? Courts, candidates and special interest groups all want a say]]'' | ||
On April 1, [[Wisconsin]] | On April 1, [[Wisconsin]] held their spring general election. In the race for Branch 1 of the [[Dunn County Circuit Court, Wisconsin|Dunn County Circuit Court]],[[James M. Peterson]] defeated [[Roger M. Hillestad]] in the primary and received 51.5 percent of the vote in the general election, trumping [[Christina M. Mayer]]'s 39.8 percent.<ref name=dunn>[http://www.dunncountywi.govoffice2.com/vertical/sites/%7B8D65D186-760D-414B-890C-7C4376A23107%7D/uploads/Circuit_Court_Judge.pdf ''Dunn County Website'', "Tabular Statement of Votes Cast," April 1, 2014] ''([[dead link]])''</ref> The contested race for Branch 3 of the [[Jefferson County Circuit Court, Wisconsin|Jefferson County Circuit Court]], [[Dave Wambach]] defeated opponent [[Joann Miller]]. Wambach won with 57.6 percent of the electorate compared to Miller's 42.4 percent.<ref name=jefferson>[http://wisconsinelectionwatch.com/16006/jefferson-county-judge-david-wambach-easily-defeats-joann-miller/ ''Wisconsin Election Watch'', "Jefferson County Judge: David Wambach Easily Defeats JoAnn Miller," accessed April 2, 2014]</ref> | ||
[[Vicki Taggatz Clussman]] defeated the newly appointed incumbent [[Keith A. Steckbauer]] for Branch 2 of the [[Waupaca County Circuit Court, Wisconsin|Waupaca County Circuit Court]]. Clussman, who had served as assistant district attorney for [[Waupaca County, Wisconsin (Judicial)|Waupaca County]] since 1987, received 57.5 percent of the vote to Steckbauer's 42.3 percent.<ref name=waupaca>[http://www.co.waupaca.wi.us/Portals/0/DeptFiles/County%20Clerk/4-1-14%20Judge%20BRANCH%202%20UNOFFICIAL%20RESULTS.pdf ''Waupaca County Website'', "Tabular Statement of Votes Cast," April 1, 2014]</ref> Steckbauer was a former attorney and owner of the firm ''Steckbauer Law S.C.''. He was appointed to the bench by Governor {{BP|Scott Walker}} on January 14, 2014.<ref name=wew>[http://wisconsinelectionwatch.com/13059/keith-steckbauer-2/ ''Wisconsin Election Watch'', "Keith Steckbauer," accessed January 20, 2014]</ref><ref name=appoint>[http://www.wsaw.com/home/headlines/Governor-Scott-Walker-Appoints-Waupaca-County-Judge-240547981.html ''WSAW News'', "Governor Scott Walker Appoints Waupaca County Judge," January 16, 2014]</ref> In the primary, Clussman and Steckbauer defeated challengers [[Brenda Starr Freeman]] and [[Edmund J. Jelinski]]. | |||
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''See also: [[JP Election Brief: Women successful in judicial races as incumbents face challengers]]'' | ''See also: [[JP Election Brief: Women successful in judicial races as incumbents face challengers]]'' | ||
Wisconsin voters | Wisconsin voters led the nation with a spring general election which took place on Tuesday, April 1, 2014. | ||
Judges in [[Wisconsin]] run in [[Nonpartisan election of judges|nonpartisan elections]] across the board. [[Wisconsin Supreme Court|Supreme court]] judges run for 10-year terms, [[Wisconsin Court of Appeals|appellate]] and [[Wisconsin Circuit Courts|circuit court]] judges run for six-year terms. If a judge leaves office mid-term, the Governor appoints a new judge who must then run in the next election. A situation like this happened earlier this year with the [[Waupaca County Circuit Court, Wisconsin|Waupaca County Circuit Court]]. Governor {{BP|Scott Walker}} appointed Judge [[Keith A. Steckbauer]] to the bench to fill the vacancy left by retiring Judge [[John Hoffmann (Wisconsin)|John Hoffmann]]. Steckbauer | Judges in [[Wisconsin]] run in [[Nonpartisan election of judges|nonpartisan elections]] across the board. [[Wisconsin Supreme Court|Supreme court]] judges run for 10-year terms, [[Wisconsin Court of Appeals|appellate]] and [[Wisconsin Circuit Courts|circuit court]] judges run for six-year terms. If a judge leaves office mid-term, the Governor appoints a new judge who must then run in the next election. A situation like this happened earlier this year with the [[Waupaca County Circuit Court, Wisconsin|Waupaca County Circuit Court]]. Governor {{BP|Scott Walker}} appointed Judge [[Keith A. Steckbauer]] to the bench to fill the vacancy left by retiring Judge [[John Hoffmann (Wisconsin)|John Hoffmann]]. Steckbauer won in the primary election and faced opponent [[Vicki Taggatz Clussman]] in the general election. | ||
The majority of the 2014 judicial races in Wisconsin were unopposed, with a few exceptions. [[Laura Gramling Perez]] faced [[Cedric Cornwall]] to compete for Branch 32 of the [[Milwaukee County Circuit Court, Wisconsin|Milwaukee County Circuit Court]]. For Branch 3 of the [[Jefferson County Circuit Court, Wisconsin|Jefferson County Circuit Court]], [[Dave Wambach]] and [[Joann Miller]] | The majority of the 2014 judicial races in Wisconsin were unopposed, with a few exceptions. [[Laura Gramling Perez]] faced [[Cedric Cornwall]] to compete for Branch 32 of the [[Milwaukee County Circuit Court, Wisconsin|Milwaukee County Circuit Court]]. For Branch 3 of the [[Jefferson County Circuit Court, Wisconsin|Jefferson County Circuit Court]], [[Dave Wambach]] and [[Joann Miller]] ran against each other. [[Robert A. Kennedy, Jr.]] challenged incumbent [[Leon Stenz]] of the [[Florence/Forest Counties Circuit Court, Wisconsin|Florence/Forest Counties Circuit Court]]. [[Christina M. Mayer]] and [[James M. Peterson]] competed for a seat on the [[Dunn County Circuit Court, Wisconsin|Dunn County Circuit Court]]. No supreme court judges were up for re-election in 2014, and there were no vacancies to fill, but [[Patricia Curley]], [[Lisa Neubauer]] and [[Gary Sherman]] all sought re-election at the appellate level. | ||
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''See also: [[JP Election Brief: Wisconsin primary concludes as the rest of the nation is just heating up]]'' | ''See also: [[JP Election Brief: Wisconsin primary concludes as the rest of the nation is just heating up]]'' | ||
Two [[Wisconsin]] counties held judicial primaries on February 18, 2014. | Two [[Wisconsin]] counties held judicial primaries on February 18, 2014. | ||
'''One candidate eliminated from Dunn County nonpartisan ticket''' | '''One candidate eliminated from Dunn County nonpartisan ticket''' | ||
There were 1466 total votes cast in [[Dunn County, Wisconsin (Judicial)|Dunn County]] for the February nonpartisan judicial primary. The Dunn County Clerk reported that [[James M. Peterson]] had the strongest showing in the February 18 primary with 664 votes. Coming in second was [[Christina M. Mayer]] with 583 votes. Finally, [[Roger M. Hillestad]] had 218 votes and thus was not on the general election ballot. Peterson and Mayer | There were 1466 total votes cast in [[Dunn County, Wisconsin (Judicial)|Dunn County]] for the February nonpartisan judicial primary. The Dunn County Clerk reported that [[James M. Peterson]] had the strongest showing in the February 18 primary with 664 votes. Coming in second was [[Christina M. Mayer]] with 583 votes. Finally, [[Roger M. Hillestad]] had 218 votes and thus was not on the general election ballot. Peterson and Mayer ran in the general election.<ref>[http://www.dunncountywi.govoffice2.com/vertical/sites/%7B8D65D186-760D-414B-890C-7C4376A23107%7D/uploads/UNOFFICIAL_ELECTION_RESULTS_FEBRUARY_18_2014.pdf ''Dunn County,'' Unofficial election results for the February 18, 2014 primary.]</ref> | ||
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{{Election news collapsed | {{Election news collapsed | ||
|Title=Wisconsin 4-way | |Title=Wisconsin 4-way race | ||
|Date=February 13, 2014 | |Date=February 13, 2014 | ||
|Text= | |Text= | ||
''See also: [[JP Election Brief: The Election Brief is back!]]'' | ''See also: [[JP Election Brief: The Election Brief is back!]]'' | ||
The retirement of former Judge [[John Hoffmann (Wisconsin)|John Hoffmann]] from the [[Waupaca County Circuit Court, Wisconsin|Waupaca County Circuit Court]] in [[Wisconsin]] | The retirement of former Judge [[John Hoffmann (Wisconsin)|John Hoffmann]] from the [[Waupaca County Circuit Court, Wisconsin|Waupaca County Circuit Court]] in [[Wisconsin]] resulted in a competitive judicial election in 2014. | ||
[[Keith A. Steckbauer]], [[Edmund J. Jelinski]], [[Vicki Taggatz Clussman]] and [[Brenda Starr Freeman]] all filed for candidacy to replace Hoffmann. Steckbauer was appointed by Governor [[Scott Walker]] to finish the remainder of Hoffmann’s term. He ran a private practice for 17 years prior to that appointment.<ref name=art1>[http://www.waupaca.com/Content/Default/Breaking-News/Article/What-makes-a-fair-judge/-3/37/22170 ''County Post,'' “What makes a fair judge,” By Robert Cloud, January 30, 2014]</ref> The other three challengers brought | [[Keith A. Steckbauer]], [[Edmund J. Jelinski]], [[Vicki Taggatz Clussman]] and [[Brenda Starr Freeman]] all filed for candidacy to replace Hoffmann. Steckbauer was appointed by Governor [[Scott Walker]] to finish the remainder of Hoffmann’s term. He ran a private practice for 17 years prior to that appointment.<ref name=art1>[http://www.waupaca.com/Content/Default/Breaking-News/Article/What-makes-a-fair-judge/-3/37/22170 ''County Post,'' “What makes a fair judge,” By Robert Cloud, January 30, 2014]</ref> The other three challengers brought histories of public and private legal experience to the race.<ref name=art2>[http://www.postcrescent.com/article/20140128/APC010404/301280503/Waupaca-County-judge-District-2?nclick_check=1 ''Postcresant.com,'' Waupaca county judge, district 2. Date accessed, February 10, 2014]</ref> Clussman served as a veteran assistant district attorney in [[Waupaca County, Wisconsin (Judicial)|Waupaca County]] for 26 years. Freeman served as a probate contract guardian in [[Outagamie County, Wisconsin (Judicial)|Outagamie County]] and part-time district attorney in Waupaca County. Jelinski worked as a private practice attorney since 2003, and was a district attorney previously.<ref name=art3>[http://www.waupaca.com/Content/News/Waupaca-News/Article/Five-candidates-for-judge/7/16/21792 ''County Post'', “Five candidates for judge,” December 19, 2013]</ref> | ||
Latest revision as of 04:58, 2 July 2025
Wisconsin judicial elections, 2014 | |
Total candidates: | 52 |
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Incumbents: | 41 |
Unopposed: | 39 |
2015 →
← 2013
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Judicial Elections |
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Judicial elections, 2014 |
Judicial election dates |
Candidates by state |
Supreme court elections |
The 2014 Wisconsin judicial elections were the earliest in the nation, concluding in April. In 2014, the following counties saw contested judicial elections for the circuit courts: Dunn, Florence, Forest, Jefferson, Milwaukee and Waupaca.
Election dates
- January 7: Filing deadline
- February 18: Primary
- April 1: General election[1]
In addition to candidate lists, this page includes information about how the state's judicial elections work, as well as articles about noteworthy news in races across the state.
Appellate courts
Wisconsin Court of Appeals District I
Unopposed | Judge Patricia Curley (Seat 1) |
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Wisconsin Court of Appeals District II
Unopposed | Judge Lisa Neubauer (Seat 1) |
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Wisconsin Court of Appeals District IV
Unopposed | Judge Gary Sherman (Seat 1) |
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Circuit courts
Jump to county:
Barron • Chippewa • Dane • Dodge • Dunn • Eau Claire • Florence/Forest • Fond du Lac • Jefferson • Juneau • Kenosha • Marathon • Marinette • Menominee/Shawano • Milwaukee • Oneida • Outagamie • Polk • Price • Racine • Rock • St. Croix • Washington • Waukesha • Waupaca • Wood
Barron County Circuit Court, Wisconsin
Unopposed | Judge Maureen Boyle (Branch 3) |
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Unopposed | Judge Michael Bitney (Branch 2) |
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Chippewa County Circuit Court, Wisconsin
Unopposed | Judge Roderick Cameron (Branch 1) |
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Unopposed | Judge Steven Cray (Branch 3) |
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Dane County Circuit Court, Wisconsin
Unopposed | Judge John Markson (Branch 1) |
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Unopposed | Judge William Hanrahan (Branch 7) |
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Dodge County Circuit Court, Wisconsin
Unopposed | Judge Brian A. Pfitzinger (Branch 1) |
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Dodge County Circuit Court, Wisconsin
Unopposed | Judge Steven Bauer (Branch 4) |
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Dunn County Circuit Court, Wisconsin
Branch 1
Candidate | Incumbency | Primary Vote | Election Vote |
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Christina Mayer | No | 48.4% ![]() | |
James Peterson![]() | No | 51.5% ![]() |
Eau Claire County Circuit Court, Wisconsin
Unopposed | Judge Kristina Bourget (Branch 1) |
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Unopposed | Judge Michael Schumacher (Branch 2) |
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Florence/Forest Counties Circuit Court, Wisconsin
Candidate | Incumbency | Primary Vote | Election Vote |
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Robert Kennedy Jr. | No | 37.0% ![]() | |
Leon Stenz![]() | Yes | 63.0% ![]() |
Fond du Lac County Circuit Court, Wisconsin
Unopposed | Judge Dale English (Branch 1) |
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Jefferson County Circuit Court, Wisconsin
Branch 3
Candidate | Incumbency | Primary Vote | Election Vote |
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Joann Miller | No | 42.4% ![]() | |
Dave Wambach![]() | Yes | 57.6% ![]() |
Juneau County Circuit Court, Wisconsin
Unopposed | Judge Paul S. Curran (Branch 2) |
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Kenosha County Circuit Court, Wisconsin
Unopposed | Judge Bruce Schroeder (Branch 3) |
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Marathon County Circuit Court, Wisconsin
Unopposed | Judge LaMont Jacobson (Branch 3) |
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Marinette County Circuit Court, Wisconsin
Unopposed | Judge David Miron (Branch 1) |
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Menominee/Shawano County Circuit Court, Wisconsin
Unopposed | Judge James Habeck (Branch 1) |
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Milwaukee County Circuit Court, Wisconsin
Unopposed | Judge Thomas McAdams (Branch 7) |
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Unopposed | Judge William Brash (Branch 21) |
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Unopposed | Janet Protasiewicz (Branch 24) |
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Unopposed | Judge Kevin Martens (Branch 27) |
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Unopposed | Judge Daniel Noonan (Branch 31) |
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Unopposed | Judge Rebecca Dallet (Branch 40) |
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Unopposed | Judge John DiMotto (Branch 41) |
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Branch 32
Candidate | Incumbency | Primary Vote | Election Vote |
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Robert Kennedy Jr. | No | 40.0% ![]() | |
Laura Perez![]() | No | 59.7% ![]() |
Oneida County Circuit Court, Wisconsin
Unopposed | Judge Patrick O'Melia (Branch 1) |
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Outagamie County Circuit Court, Wisconsin
Unopposed | Judge Nancy Krueger (Branch 2) |
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Unopposed | Judge Mitchell Metropulos (Branch 3) |
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Polk County Circuit Court, Wisconsin
Unopposed | Judge Molly GaleWyrick (Branch 1) |
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Price County Circuit Court, Wisconsin
Unopposed | Judge Douglas Fox (Seat 1) |
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Racine County Circuit Court, Wisconsin
Unopposed | Judge Charles Constantine (Branch 7) |
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Rock County Circuit Court, Wisconsin
Unopposed | Judge James Daley (Wisconsin) (Branch 1) |
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St. Croix County Circuit Court, Wisconsin
Unopposed | Judge Eric Lundell (Branch 1) |
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Unopposed | Judge Howard Cameron (Branch 4) |
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Washington County Circuit Court, Wisconsin
Unopposed | Judge James Muehlbauer (Branch 2) |
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Waukesha County Circuit Court, Wisconsin
Unopposed | Judge Lee Dreyfus (Branch 5) |
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Unopposed | Judge Patrick Haughney (Branch 6) |
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Waupaca County Circuit Court, Wisconsin
Branch 2
Candidate | Incumbency | Primary Vote | Election Vote |
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Keith A. Steckbauer | Yes | 29.8%![]() | 42.3% ![]() |
Edmund J. Jelinski | No | 22.3% | |
Brenda Starr Freeman | No | 21.1% | |
Vicki Taggatz Clussman![]() | No | 24.8%![]() | 57.5% ![]() |
Wood County Circuit Court, Wisconsin
Unopposed | Judge Gregory Potter (Branch 1) |
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Process
Judges in Wisconsin participate in nonpartisan elections. Wisconsin is one of four states that hold judicial elections every year, along with Louisiana, New York and Ohio.[2][3]
Primary election
A primary is held on the third Tuesday in February to nominate judicial candidates for the spring election. Candidates seeking election must file by December 1 preceding the spring general election.[2] A primary is required to be held if more than two candidates file for nomination to the supreme court, the same district of an appellate court or for the same branch of a circuit court.[2] If the number of candidates for office does not exceed twice the number to be elected to the office a primary is not held and all the candidates will appear on the ballot in the spring election.[2] The two candidates who receive the most votes in a primary race advance to the general election.[4]
General election
A spring election is held on the first Tuesday in April.[2]
Noteworthy events
The following articles were current as of the dates listed.
Wisconsin election wrap-upApril 3, 2014 | Click for story→ |
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See also: JP Election Brief: Who's qualified? Courts, candidates and special interest groups all want a say
On April 1, Wisconsin held their spring general election. In the race for Branch 1 of the Dunn County Circuit Court,James M. Peterson defeated Roger M. Hillestad in the primary and received 51.5 percent of the vote in the general election, trumping Christina M. Mayer's 39.8 percent.[5] The contested race for Branch 3 of the Jefferson County Circuit Court, Dave Wambach defeated opponent Joann Miller. Wambach won with 57.6 percent of the electorate compared to Miller's 42.4 percent.[6]
Vicki Taggatz Clussman defeated the newly appointed incumbent Keith A. Steckbauer for Branch 2 of the Waupaca County Circuit Court. Clussman, who had served as assistant district attorney for Waupaca County since 1987, received 57.5 percent of the vote to Steckbauer's 42.3 percent.[7] Steckbauer was a former attorney and owner of the firm Steckbauer Law S.C.. He was appointed to the bench by Governor Scott Walker on January 14, 2014.[8][9] In the primary, Clussman and Steckbauer defeated challengers Brenda Starr Freeman and Edmund J. Jelinski.
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Wisconsin election previewMarch 27, 2014 | Click for story→ |
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See also: JP Election Brief: Women successful in judicial races as incumbents face challengers
Wisconsin voters led the nation with a spring general election which took place on Tuesday, April 1, 2014.
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Wisconsin primary resultsFebruary 20, 2014 | Click for story→ |
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See also: JP Election Brief: Wisconsin primary concludes as the rest of the nation is just heating up
Two Wisconsin counties held judicial primaries on February 18, 2014. One candidate eliminated from Dunn County nonpartisan ticket There were 1466 total votes cast in Dunn County for the February nonpartisan judicial primary. The Dunn County Clerk reported that James M. Peterson had the strongest showing in the February 18 primary with 664 votes. Coming in second was Christina M. Mayer with 583 votes. Finally, Roger M. Hillestad had 218 votes and thus was not on the general election ballot. Peterson and Mayer ran in the general election.[10]
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Wisconsin 4-way raceFebruary 13, 2014 | Click for story→ |
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See also: JP Election Brief: The Election Brief is back!
The retirement of former Judge John Hoffmann from the Waupaca County Circuit Court in Wisconsin resulted in a competitive judicial election in 2014.
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See also
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ Wisconsin Government Accountability Board, "Elections"
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 Wisconsin Legislative Council, "Overview of the Election Law in Wisconsin," archived March 31, 2014
- ↑ Judgepedia.org, "Judicial Elections by State," accessed April 30, 2014
- ↑ American Judicature Society, "Methods of Judicial Selection: Wisconsin," accessed March 31, 2014
- ↑ Dunn County Website, "Tabular Statement of Votes Cast," April 1, 2014 (dead link)
- ↑ Wisconsin Election Watch, "Jefferson County Judge: David Wambach Easily Defeats JoAnn Miller," accessed April 2, 2014
- ↑ Waupaca County Website, "Tabular Statement of Votes Cast," April 1, 2014
- ↑ Wisconsin Election Watch, "Keith Steckbauer," accessed January 20, 2014
- ↑ WSAW News, "Governor Scott Walker Appoints Waupaca County Judge," January 16, 2014
- ↑ Dunn County, Unofficial election results for the February 18, 2014 primary.
- ↑ Waupaca County, "Unofficial election results of the February 18, 2014 primary"
- ↑ Appleton Post Crescent, "Primary elections narrow race for council, county board seats"
- ↑ County Post, “What makes a fair judge,” By Robert Cloud, January 30, 2014
- ↑ Postcresant.com, Waupaca county judge, district 2. Date accessed, February 10, 2014
- ↑ County Post, “Five candidates for judge,” December 19, 2013
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