With the February 18 primary election complete, the ballots are now set across Wisconsin for the April 1 spring election. Voters will head to the polls to elect judges at multiple levels of the judiciary, influencing the state's legal landscape. This election cycle includes a Wisconsin Supreme Court race, three Court of Appeals seats, and numerous contested and uncontested circuit court races throughout the state.
Wisconsin Supreme Court
Justice Ann Walsh Bradley, who has served on the Wisconsin Supreme Court since 1995, is not seeking re-election. Two candidates, Dane County Circuit Judge Susan Crawford and Waukesha County Circuit Court Judge Brad Schimel, have qualified for the ballot in a race that has garnered national attention.
Wisconsin Court of Appeals
Three Court of Appeals judges are running for re-election unopposed:
- District II: Judge Mark Gundrum
- District III: Judge Lisa K. Stark
- District IV: Judge Jennifer Nashold
Circuit Court races
Voters in several counties will select judges for circuit court branches. Below is a comprehensive list of judicial races across the state:
Brown County
- Branch 3: Judge Tammy Jo Hock (unopposed)
- Branch 4: Judge Samantha Wagner (unopposed)
- Branch 7: Judge Timothy A. Hinkfuss (unopposed)
Crawford County
- Circuit Judge: Judge Lukas L. Steiner (unopposed)
Dane County
- Branch 2: Judge Payal Khandhar (unopposed)
- Branch 16: Judge Rhonda L. Lanford (unopposed)
Dodge County
- Branch 3: Chad Wozniak (unopposed; replacing retiring Judge Joseph G. Sciascia)
Eau Claire County
- Branch 2: Judge Douglas Hoffer (unopposed)
Green County
- Branch 2: Judge Jane Bucher (unopposed)
Jefferson County
- Branch 1: Judge Will Gruber (challenged by John Jack A. Chavez)
- Branch 2: Judge Theresa Beck (challenged by Jennifer L. Weber)
La Crosse County
- Branch 1: Joe Veenstra vs. Eric S. Sanford (open seat; replacing retiring Judge Ramona A. Gonzalez)
- Branch 2: Judge Elliott M. Levine (unopposed)
- Branch 4: Judge Scott L. Horne (unopposed)
Lafayette County
- Circuit Judge: Judge Jenna Gill (unopposed)
Lincoln County
- Branch 2: Jessica Fehrenbach (unopposed; replacing retiring Judge Robert R. Russell)
Manitowoc County
- Branch 1: Judge Mark Rohrer (unopposed)
Marinette County
- Branch 1: Judge Peggy Miller (challenged by DeShea D. Morrow)
- Branch 2: Judge James A. Morrison (unopposed)
Marquette County
- Circuit Judge: Judge Chad A. Hendee (unopposed)
Milwaukee County
- Branch 6: Judge John Remington (unopposed)
- Branch 11: Judge David Swanson (unopposed)
- Branch 26: Judge William S. Pocan (unopposed)
- Branch 36: Judge Laura A. Crivello (unopposed)
- Branch 40: Judge Danielle L. Shelton (unopposed)
- Branch 41: Judge Lena Taylor (unopposed)
Monroe County
- Branch 1: Judge Todd L. Ziegler (unopposed)
Ozaukee County
- Branch 1: Judge Adam Y. Gerol (unopposed)
- Branch 2: Judge Steve Cain (unopposed)
Racine County
- Branch 4: Judge Scott Craig (unopposed)
- Branch 7: Judge Jon Fredrickson (challenged by Jamie M. McClendon)
Rock County
- Branch 1: Judge Karl Hanson (unopposed)
- Branch 2: Judge Derrick A. Grubb (unopposed)
Saint Croix County
- Branch 2: Heather M. Amos and Brian T. Smestad (open seat; replacing retiring Judge Edward F. Vlack)
Waukesha County
- Branch 1: Scott Wagner (unopposed; replacing retiring Judge Michael O. Bohren)
- Branch 4: Judge Bridget Schoenborn (challenged by David Maas)
- Branch 6: Zach Wittchow vs. Fred Strampe (open seat; replacing Judge Brad Schimel)
Wood County
- Branch 1: Judge Gregory J. Jerabek (unopposed)
Third Branch eNews is an online monthly newsletter of the Director of State Courts Office. If you are interested in contributing an article about your department’s programs or accomplishments, contact your department head. Information about judicial retirements and judicial obituaries may be submitted to: Sara.Foster@wicourts.gov