Wisconsin primary kicks off election season tomorrow
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February 14, 2011
Wisconsin: Though only three states will hold judicial elections this year, Wisconsin begins the cycle with its primary to be held tomorrow. Judges in the state run in nonpartisan races. Because of this, only races with more than two candidates participate in the primary election. From there, the two candidates that win the most votes advance to the general election. Tomorrow there will be eight races on the ballot.
The highest profile contest is that for the Supreme Court. Incumbent David Prosser's term is set to expire this year and he is running for re-election. This challengers are Marla J. Stephens, Joel Winnig, JoAnne Kloppenburg. Stephens is the director of the state's Public Defender's Office, Appellate Division. Winning is an attorney. Kloppenburg is the Assistant Attorney General in the Wisconsin Department of Justice.[1] An important aspect of this race is the use of public financing. Three out of four candidates qualified for public funding during the primary season, with Stephens opting out. Consequently, she has raised roughly $38,000, while the other candidates started with $100,000 in public funds.[2]
The other seven contested races are for the Circuit Courts.
On the Columbia County Circuit Court (Branch 2), incumbent James O. Miller is retiring. Mark D. Lawton, W. Andrew Voigt, Tim Henney and Troy Cross will compete to see who will face off in the general election.
On the Green Lake County Circuit Court, William McMonigal is retiring. Competing for the seat are John B. Selsing, Mark Slate and Jon R. Wilsnack.
The seat for Marathon County Circuit Court (Branch 5) is also open due to a retirement. Patrick Brady's seat will be filled by Sandy Marcus, Mike Moran (Wisconsin) or Peter Rotter.
Judge Pedro Colón of the Milwaukee County Circuit Court (Branch 18) is running for election to the seat he was appointed to in 2010. He is being challenged by Christopher R. Lipscomb and Roy R. Korte.
A vacancy on the Polk County Circuit Court (Branch 2) will be filled by James Jay Rennicke, Daniel Patrick Steffen or Jeff Anderson.
Judge Angela Sutkiewicz is running for election to the seat she was appointed to in Sheboygan County. She is challenged by Catherine Quirk Delahunt and James A. Haasch.
On the Winnebago County Circuit Court (Branch 6), Judge Robert Hawley is retiring rather than run for election to his appointed seat. Daniel Bissett, Caroline A. Carver, David W. Keck and Edmund J. Jelinski are vying for the seat.[3]
See also
Footnotes
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