The race for Supreme Court is a no-brainer.
Justice David Prosser is by far the best candidate. In every capacity, Prosser is JoAnne Kloppenburg's superior. Without question, he deserves to be reelected to the Supreme Court.
The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Editorial Board exercised surprisingly good judgment by endorsing Prosser:
David Prosser recently compared the Wisconsin Supreme Court, of which he is a member, to a family. Families have their squabbles, he noted in an interview with WisconsinEye.
True enough, but this "family" does more than squabble. It's close to dysfunctional.
The state Supreme Court is riven with personal dislikes, petty jealousies and wide ideological divides. The court is split 4-3, with self-described judicial conservatives, including Prosser, most often in the majority.
Though Prosser, 68, shares responsibility for the court's divisiveness, we don't believe he is the problem. Prosser has been a capable justice who has shown the ability to work with his ideological opposites when the situation demands. He is a good writer, has an even temperament and is a hard worker. We disagree with him on disciplining of lawyers - he doesn't see major problems with the lax system the state now employs; we do. But this is not enough to disqualify him.
...All the justices share responsibility for decorum, but Prosser is right: The chief does have a special role to play. It's worth noting that fissures on Abrahamson's court are nothing new. Shortly after Prosser joined the court in 1998, a cabal of justices sought to depose Abrahamson, backing her opponent in her re-election race. Prosser supported her and says that over the years he has had a good relationship with her.
We encourage Prosser - and his fellow justices, especially Abrahamson - to repair their differences and focus on interpreting the state constitution fairly and modestly. Leave the sniping for the lunch room.
Kloppenburg, 57, is a strong candidate. She has degrees from Yale and Princeton and a law degree from the University of Wisconsin. She specialized in environmental affairs. But we believe Prosser is the stronger candidate this time.
We recommend that voters return him to the court for another 10-year term.
There's no question that Justice Prosser is a stronger candidate than Kloppenburg.
He has an extremely impressive list of endorsements, including:
Governor Tommy G. Thompson
Gov. Scott McCallum
Lt. Governor Margaret Farrow
Retired Supreme Court Justices:
Justice William Callow
Justice Don Steinmetz
Justice Louis Ceci
Justice Jon Wilcox
Judges:
Hon. Charles Pollex, Adams
Hon. J.D. McKay, Brown
Hon. Donald Zuidmulder-Brown
Hon. Kendall M Kelley, Brown
Hon. Mark Warpinski, Brown
Hon. Don Poppy, Calumet
Hon. Alan White, Columbia
Hon. Patrick Fiedler, Dane
Hon. George Glonek, Douglas
Hon. Kelly Thimm, Douglas
Hon. Leon Stenz, Forest
Hon. Dale English, Fond du Lac
Hon. Peter Grimm, Fond du Lac
Hon. Richard Nuss, Fond du Lac
Hon. Robert Wirtz, Fond du Lac
Hon. James Beer, Green
Hon. Randy Koschnick, Jefferson
Hon. Paul Curran, Juneau
Hon. John Roemer, Juneau
Hon. Chad Kerkman, Kenosha
Hon. Bruce Schroeder, Kenosha
Hon. Wilbur Warren, Kenosha
Hon. Mary Wagner, Kenosha
Hon. Todd Bjerke, LaCrosse
Hon. Scott Horne, LaCrosse
Hon. Fred Karalski, Langlade
Hon. Jay Tlusty, Lincoln
Hon. Tim Duket, Marinette
Hon. James Habech, Shawano
Hon. Carl Ashley, Milwaukee
Hon. William Brash, Milwaukee
Hon. Jane Carroll, Milwaukee
Hon. Dennis Cimpl, Milwaukee
Hon. Jeffrey Conen, Milwaukee
Hon. Pedro Colon, Milwaukee
Hon. Joseph Donald, Milwaukee
Hon. Tim Dugan, Milwaukee
Hon. Clare Fiorenza, Milwaukee
Hon. David Hansher, Milwaukee
Hon. Daniel Konkol, Milwaukee
Hon. Mary Kuhnmuench, Milwaukee
Hon. Kevin Martens, Milwaukee
Hon. Dennis Moroney, Milwaukee
Hon. Daniel Noonan, Milwaukee
Hon. Stephanie Rothstein, Milwaukee
Hon. William Sosnay, Milwaukee
Hon. Francis Wasielewski, Milwaukee
Hon. J.D. Watts, Milwaukee
Hon. Maxine White, Milwaukee
Hon. Jay Conley, Oconto
Hon. Michael Judge, Oconto
Hon. John Desjardins, Outagamie
Hon. Howard Froehlich, Outagamie
Hon. Michael Gage, Outagamie
Hon. Mark McGinnis, Outagamie
Hon. Mitchell Metropulos, Outagamie
Hon. Paul Malloy, Ozaukee
Hon. Sandy Williams, Ozaukee
Hon. Joseph Boles, Pierce
Hon. Dennis Barry, Racine
Hon. Faye Flancher, Racine
Hon. Gerard Ptacek, Racine
Hon. Gene Gasiorkiewicz, Racine
Hon. Edward Lieneweber, Richland
Hon. Daniel Dillon, Rock
Hon. Michael Fitzpatrick, Rock
Hon. James Welker, Rock
Hon. Scott R. Needham, St. Croix
Hon. Patrick Taggart, Sauk
Hon. Robert Kennedy, Walworth
Hon. James Carlson, Walworth
Hon. Todd Martens, Washington
Hon. Michael Bohren, Waukesha
Hon. William Domina, Waukesha
Hon. Donald Hassin, Waukesha
Hon. Lee Dreyfus, Waukesha
Hon. Mac Davis, Waukesha
Hon. Patrick Haughney, Waukesha
Hon. Ralph Ramirez, Waukesha
Hon. Mark Gundrum, Waukesha
Hon. Raymond Huber, Waupaca
Hon. Greg Dutcher, Waushara
Hon. John Jorgensen, Winnebago
Hon. James Mason, Wood
Hon. George Curry, Grant
Hon. James Eaton, Barron (retired)
Hon. Tim Vocke, Oneida (retired)
Hon. Ed Zappen, Wood
Elected Officials:
County Executive Dan Vrakas (Waukesha)
Mayor John Antaramian (Kenosha--former)
Rep. Bob Ziegelbauer (Independent-Manitowoc)
Rep. Tyler August (R-Walworth)
Rep Joan Ballweg (R-Markesan)
Rep. Jeffrey Mursau (R-Crivitz)
Rep. John Murtha (R-Baldwin)
Rep. Stephen Nass (R-Whitewater)
Rep. Lee Nerison (R-Westby)
Rep. Kathy Bernier (R-Chippewa Falls)
Rep. John Nygren (R-Marinette)
Rep. Alvin Ott (R-Forest Junction)
Rep. Garey Bies (R-Sister Bay)
Rep. Jim Ott (R-Mequon)
Rep. Ed Brooks (R-Reedsburg)
Rep. Kevin Petersen (R-Waupaca)
Rep. Jerry Petrowski, Jerry (R-Marathon)
Rep. Warren Petryk (R-Eleva)
Rep. Mike Endsley (R-Sheboygan)
Rep. Paul Farrow (R-Pewaukee)
Rep. Don Pridemore (R-Hartford)
Rep. Jeff Fitzgerald (R-Beaver Dam)
Rep. Keith Ripp (R-Lodi)
Rep. Roger Rivard (R-Rice Lake)
Rep. Mark Honadel (R-S. Milwaukee)
Rep. Erik Severson (R-Star Prairie)
Rep. Andre Jacque (R-Green Bay)
Rep. Richard Spanbauer (R-Oshkosh)
Rep. Chris Kapenga (R-Delafield)
Rep. Dean Kaufert (R-Neenah)
Rep, Samantha Kerkman (R-Powers Lake)
Rep. Jim Steineke (R-Kaukauna)
Rep. Jeff Stone (R-Greenfield)
Rep. Steve Kestell (R-Elkhart Lake)
Rep. Pat Strachota (R-West Bend)
Rep. Joel Kleefisch (R-Oconomowoc)
Rep. Scott Suder (R-Abbotsford)
Rep. John Klenke (R-Green Bay)
Rep. Gary Tauchen (R-Bonduel)
Rep. Joe Knilans (R-Janesville)
Rep. Jeremy Thiesfeldt (R-Fond du Lac)
Rep. Dan Knodl (R-Germantown)
Rep. Tom Tiffany (R-Hazelhurst)
Rep. Dean Knudson (R-Hudson)
Rep. Dale Kooyenga (R-Brookfield)
Rep. Travis Tranel (R-Cuba City)
Rep. Bill Kramer (R-Waukesha)
Rep. Scott Krug (R-Wisconsin Rapids)
Rep. Karl Van Roy (R-Green Bay)
Rep. Robin Vos (R-Caledonia)
Rep. Mike Kuglitsch (R-New Berlin)
Rep. Tom Larson (R-Colfax)
Rep. Chad Weininger (R-Green Bay)
Rep. Dan LeMahieu (R-Cascade)
Rep, Mary Williams (R-Medford)
Rep. Michelle Litjens (R-Oshkosh)
Rep. Evan Wynn (R-Whitewater)
Rep. Amy Loudenbeck (R-Clinton)
Rep. Howard Marklein (R-Spring Green)
Rep. Dan Meyer (R-Eagle River)
Sen. Alberta Darling (R-River Hills)
Sen. Scott Fitzgerald (R-Juneau)
Sen. Rob Cowles (R-Green Bay)
Sen. Michael Ellis (R-Neenah)
Sen. Pam Galloway (R-Wausau)
Sen. Glenn Grothman (R-West Bend)
Sen. Sheila Harsdorf (R-River Falls)
Sen. Randy Hopper (R-Fond du Lac)
Sen. Dan Kapanke (R-La Crosse)
Sen. Neal Kedzie (R-Elkhorn)
Sen. Frank Lasee (R-DePere)
Sen. Mary Lazich (R-New Berlin)
Sen. Terry Moulton (R-Chippewa Falls)
Sen. Luther Olsen (R-Ripon)
Sen. Dale Schultz (R-Richland Center)
Sen. Leah Vukmir (R-Wauwatosa)
Sen. Van Wanggaard (R-Racine)
Past-Rep. John Dobyns
Law Enforcement Community
Milwaukee Police Association
Sheriff David Clarke, Milwaukee
Sheriff Dan Trawicki, Waukesha
Sheriff John Gossage, Brown
Sheriff Steve Helgeson, La Crosse
Sheriff Bradley Gehring, Outagamie
Sheriff Christopher Schmaling, Racine
Sheriff Todd Nehls, Dodge
Sheriff Paul Susienkea, Bayfield
Sheriff Jerry Moran, Crawford
Sheriff Mylan Fink, Fond du Lac
Sheriff Dennis Smith, Dunn
Sheriff Jerry Sauve, Marinette
Sheriff John Andrews, Pepin
Sheriff Dean Roland, Burnett
Sheriff Dennis Richards, Columbia
Sheriff Thomas Dalbec, Douglas
Sheriff Mark Podoll, Green Lake
Sheriff James Kowalczyk, Chippewa
Sheriff Ron Cramer, Eau Claire
Sheriff Jeff Rickaby, Florence
Sheriff Keith Glover, Grant
Sheriff Steve Michek, Iowa
Sheriff Brent Oleson, Juneau
Sheriff David Beth, Kenosha
Sheriff Scott Pedley, Lafayette
Sheriff William Greening, Langlade
Sheriff Kim Gaffney, Marquette
Sheriff Phil Malsack, Marquette (former)
Sheriff David Kaminski, Rusk County
Sheriff Michael Jansen, Oconto
Sheriff Maury Straub, Ozaukee
Sheriff Chris Schmaling, Racine
Sheriff Randy Wright, Shawano
Sheriff Dennis Hillstead, St. Croix
Sheriff Gene Carey, Vernon
Sheriff David Graves, Walworth
Sheriff Terry Dryen, Washburn
Sheriff Dale Schmidt, Washington
Sheriff David Peterson, Waushara
Sheriff Michael Brooks, Winnebago
Sheriff Randy Roderick, Green (former)
Sheriff Lewis Rosandisch, Clark (former)
Sheriff James Kanikula, Marinette (former)
Sheriff Randy Stammen, Sauk (former)
Sheriff James Meier, Sawyer (former)
Chief Randy Martin, RIO
DA John Zakowski, Brown
DA Mike Nieskes, Racine
DA Richard Dufor, Marquette
DA Brad Schimel, Waukesha
DA Carrie Schneider, Outagamie
DA Kurt Klomberg, Dodge
DA Daniel Bank, Douglas
DA Gary Luhman, Green
DA Gerald Fox, Jackson
DA Scott Southworth, Juneau
DA Adam Gerol, Ozaukee
DA Gregory Parker, Shawano
DA Eric Johnson, St Croix
DA John Snider, Waupaca
DA Scott Blader, Waushara
Past State Bar Presidents
Gary Bakke, New Richmond
Pamela E. Barker, Appleton
Lawrence J. Bugge, Madison
R. George Burnett, Green Bay
Gregory R. Conway, Green Bay
John R. Decker, Evansville
James D. Ghiardi, Shorewood
Franklyn M. Gimbel, Milwaukee
D. Michael Guerin, Milwaukee
Donald L. Heaney, Madison
Myron E. La Rowe, Reedsburg
Gerald W. Mowris, Madison
Gerald M. O’Brien, Stevens Point
John Skilton, Madison
Thomas S. Sleik, La Crosse
Steven R. Sorenson, Ripon
G. Lane Ware, Wausau
Associations/Groups
Physicians for Responsible Government
Wisconsin Restaurant Association
Wisconin Realtors Association
Wisconsin Builders Association
Green Bay Area Chamber of Commerce
Lawmakers, the legal community, and law enforcement all endorse Prosser.
JoAnne Kloppenburg's page of endorsements has lots of names, but they're simply alphabetized, without titles.
That's OK for the phone book, but it's a disorganized way to list endorsements.
For me, this race boils down to experience and judicial philosophy.
Kloppenburg lacks experience. I don't think she's qualified to be on the Supreme Court.
Read about Justice Prosser's experience, in his own words:
Experience Matters -- Prior to my 12 years on the bench, I served 18 years in the legislature, two years as Outagamie County District Attorney, and more than two years in the United States Department of Justice. In these roles, I have created, applied, and interpreted law -- and received high marks for my performance in every capacity.
Judicial Philosophy -- I present myself as a judicial conservative, devoted to the constitution and the rule of law. My job is to find the law and apply it properly, not to make it up to advance some ideological objective.
Judicial Record -- In 12 years, I have participated in more than 900 published Supreme Court decisions and have written opinions in almost every area of law. My record for impartiality and scholarship is well known to people who closely follow the work of the court.
A Supreme Court justice is expected to be an independent decision-maker who makes the correct call in tough cases. I believe I have earned a reputation as a fair and reasonable justice who will apply the law fairly, not legislate from the bench.
This race isn't a referendum on Governor Scott Walker.
It's not about unions and their thuggery.
It's not about the injustice of public employees demanding that middle class taxpayers like me be burdened with paying for my own health care and saving for retirement as well as footing the bill for their benefits.
This is about electing an experienced, qualified justice for the Supreme Court; someone who will interpret the law, not act as a legislator.
I'm not going to vote for an inexperienced, judicial activist like Kloppenburg.
I'm voting for Prosser.
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