Wisconsin voters also cast their ballots in the April 1 election to determine seats on the Wisconsin Court of Appeals and circuit courts across the state. While many incumbents ran unopposed, several contested races resulted in new judges joining the bench. The election outcomes will shape the judiciary for years to come, with newly elected judges set to take office on August 1.
Wisconsin Court of Appeals results
Three incumbent judges retained their seats on the Wisconsin Court of Appeals, running unopposed:
- District II: Judge Mark Gundrum
- District III: Judge Lisa K. Stark
- District IV: Judge Jennifer Nashold
Circuit Court elections
Voters across Wisconsin selected judges for circuit court branches, with most incumbents running unopposed. Several contested races resulted in new judges joining the bench.
Contested races
- Jefferson County, Branch 1: Judge William Gruber retained his seat, defeating challenger John Jack A. Chavez.
- Jefferson County, Branch 2: Judge Theresa Beck won re-election against Jennifer L. Weber.
- La Crosse County, Branch 1: Attorney Joe Veenstra won an open seat, defeating Eric S. Sanford.
- Marinette County, Branch 1: Judge Peggy Miller held onto her seat, defeating DeShae D’aun Morrow.
- Racine County, Branch 7: Jamie McClendon joined the judiciary, defeating Judge Jon Frederickson by just 55 votes.
- Saint Croix County, Branch 2: Brian Smestad won the open seat, defeating Heather M. Amos to claim a seat held by Judge Edward Vlack II, who is retiring.
- Waukesha County, Branch 4: David Maas defeated incumbent Bridget Schoenborn.
- Waukesha County, Branch 6: Zach Wittchow won the open seat against Fred Strampe.
Unopposed races
- Brown County: Judges Tammy Jo Hock, Samantha Wagner, and Timothy A. Hinkfuss
- Crawford County: Judge Lukas L. Steiner
- Dane County: Judges Payal Khandhar and Rhonda L. Lanford
- Dodge County: Judge Chad Wozniak (succeeding retiring Judge Joseph G. Sciascia)
- Eau Claire County: Judge Douglas Hoffer
- Green County: Judge Jane Bucher
- La Crosse County: Judges Elliott M. Levine and Scott L. Horne
- Lafayette County: Judge Jenna Gill
- Lincoln County: Judge Jessica Fehrenbach (succeeding retiring Judge Robert R. Russell)
- Manitowoc County: Judge Mark Rohrer
- Marquette County: Judge Chad A. Hendee
- Milwaukee County: Judges John Remington, David Swanson, William S. Pocan, Laura A. Crivello, Danielle L. Shelton, and Lena Taylor
- Monroe County: Judge Todd L. Ziegler
- Ozaukee County: Judges Adam Y. Gerol and Steve Cain
- Rock County: Judges Karl Hanson and Derrick A. Grubb
- Waukesha County: Judge Scott Wagner (succeeding retiring Judge Michael Bohren)
- Wood County: Judge Gregory J. Jerabek
Newly elected judges will assume their roles on August 1. The next judicial elections in Wisconsin are set for 2026, when there will be another Supreme Court race, as well as additional contested elections for circuit court and Court of Appeals seats.
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