Tuesday, Wisconsin will vote in the Spring Election. Two candidates are competing for a Wisconsin Supreme Court seat. And there's a referendum.
The candidates are Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Rebecca Dallet and Sauk County Circuit Judge Michael Screnock. Even though this court seat is non-partisan, there has been a lot of money pouring into this race from all sides of the political spectrum.
Below, we provide bios, video interviews and more on both of the candidates (and more about the referendum) to help you make a decision at the polls.
If you haven’t registered to vote or not sure where to vote, you can find all the information you need atMy Vote Wisconsin’s website.
Before we get into the candidates, here is a summary of the Wisconsin Supreme Court.
The Wisconsin Supreme Court is the highest appellate court in the state. The court has jurisdiction over original actions, appeals from lower courts, and regulation or administration of the practice of law in Wisconsin. There are seven justices that sit on the bench. They are selected in nonpartisan elections and serve 10-year terms.
Wisconsin holds state judicial elections every year, but in some years, no state supreme court justice’s term will end and therefore no justice will be up for election. Only one seat may be elected in any year. In the event of a vacancy on the court, the governor has the power and duty to appoint an individual to the vacancy; that justice must then stand for election in the first subsequent year in which no other justice’s term expires. (source: Ballotpedia)
Rebecca Dallet
Biography (via Linkedin): Currently assigned a large claims civil calendar. Previously Presiding Judge of domestic violence/child abuse division and misdemeanor division. Presided over drug, gun, homicide and sexual assault courts. Has conducted approximately 225 jury trials. Experienced managing heavy caseload and motion practice, including post-conviction motions.
- Member of Criminal Jury Instruction Committee, responsible for drafting Wisconsin instructions.
- Associate Dean of the Wisconsin Judicial College specializing in jury trial issues.
- President of the Milwaukee Trial Judges Association.
- Secretary of the Association of Women Lawyers.
- Ex Officio Director of Eastern District of Wisconsin Bar Association.
Dallet has received over $550,000 in campaign donations from a variety of sources.
Take a listen to Rebecca Dallet’s interview on WPR’s “Central Time.”
Michael Screnock
Biography (via Ballotpedia): Sauk County Circuit Court Judge Michael Screnock lives in Reedsburg, Wisconsin. He graduated from Baraboo High School. He earned a B.S. in mathematics from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1990, an M.B.A. with an emphasis in urban economic development from Eastern College in 1992, and a J.D. from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2006. Screnock’s career experience includes working as the city administrator of Washburn, Wisconsin, finance director of Ashland, Wisconsin, and attorney with the law firm of Michael Best & Friedrich, where he helped to defend Act 10, or the "Scott Walker Budget Repair Bill"
Screnock has received over $160,000 in campaign donations from a variety of sources.
Statewide Referendum
There is also a referendum question about the elimination of the state treasurer. It asks if the state constitution should be amended "to eliminate the office of state treasurer from the constitution and to replace the state treasurer with the lieutenant governor as a member of the Board of Commissioners of Public Lands."
Get out and vote!