2026 Spring Judicial Election results

By: Stephen Kelley | Public Information Officer

Newly elected judges will begin their terms on August 1, 2026
Newly elected judges will begin their terms on August 1, 2026

Voters across Wisconsin selected judges at multiple levels of the court system in the April 7 spring election, including seats on the Wisconsin Court of Appeals and circuit courts throughout the state. The election included a mix of contested and uncontested races, with several open seats filled and a number of incumbent judges re-elected without opposition. Newly elected judges will take office August 1, 2026.

Wisconsin Court of Appeals

Three Court of Appeals seats were on the ballot in this year’s election.

  • District I: Judge M. Joseph Donald was re-elected without opposition.
  • District II: Anthony LoCoco was elected to an open seat.
  • District IV: Judge Rachel A. Graham was re-elected without opposition.

Circuit Court Races

Voters also selected judges in circuit courts across Wisconsin. Results included both contested races and unopposed candidates.

Barron County

  • Branch 3: Judge Maureen D. Boyle (unopposed)

Brown County

  • Branch 8: Judge Beau Gerard Liegeois (unopposed)

Chippewa County

  • Branch 3: Judge Benjamin J. Lane (unopposed)

Dane County

  • Branch 1: Judge Ben Jones defeated Huma Ahsan
  • Branch 8: Judge Stephanie Hilton (unopposed)

Dodge County

  • Branch 1: Shawn Woller was elected to an open seat
  • Branch 4: Judge Kristine A. Snow (unopposed)

Dunn County

  • Branch 1: Judge James M. Peterson (unopposed)

Florence and Forest County

  • Circuit Judge: Robert A. Kennedy Jr. defeated Alex Seifert

Iron County

  • Circuit Judge: Judge Anthony J. Stella Jr. (unopposed)

Juneau County

  • Branch 2: Judge Paul S. Curran (unopposed)

Marathon County

  • Branch 3: Michael D. Hughes defeated Douglas Bauman

Milwaukee County

  • Branch 2: Judge Milton L. Childs (unopposed)
  • Branch 7: Susan M. Roth was elected to an open seat
  • Branch 16: Judge Brittany C. Grayson (unopposed)
  • Branch 27: Judge Kevin E. Martens (unopposed)
  • Branch 29: Judge Rebecca Kiefer (unopposed)
  • Branch 32: Judge Laura Gramling Perez (unopposed)

Outagamie County

  • Branch 2: Judge Emily Lonergan (unopposed)
  • Branch 3: Kyle J. Sargent was elected to an open seat

St. Croix County

  • Branch 1: Judge Scott J. Nordstrand (unopposed)

Washburn County

  • Circuit Judge: Judge Angeline E. Winton-Roe defeated Aaron B. Marcoux

Washington County

  • Branch 2: Grant Scaife defeated Judge Gordon Leech

Waukesha County

  • Branch 5: Judge Jack Melvin (unopposed)

Waupaca County

  • Branch 2: Judge Vicki L. Clussman (unopposed)

Wood County

  • Branch 3: Judge Emily Nolan-Plutchak defeated Elizabeth Gebert

Return to issue home

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