MADISON, Wis. — Though the race for Wisconsin’s Supreme Court is technically nonpartisan, each party has two candidates running in what has turned out to be a tight contest so far.
Wisconsinites will head to the polls Tuesday to narrow the field of primary hopefuls from four to two, as the top voter getters advance to the April spring election.
With a 10-year term and the ideological balance of the state’s highest court at stake, Waukesha County Circuit Court Judge Jennifer Dorow dives deeper into her candidacy with Spectrum News 1 Political Reporter Anthony DaBruzzi.
Dorow: I'm running for the Wisconsin Supreme Court because I think it's very important that Wisconsin has a Supreme Court that's fair and impartial, where the justices on the court understand their proper role, that we decide legal cases and that we're not a legislative body. And so, I want everyone in Wisconsin to know that I bring to this race that commitment to be fair and impartial, and to never legislate from the bench.
Dorow: I've had 11 years on the trial court bench with a commitment to being fair and impartial. In fact, many people were able to see how I run a courtroom during some very challenging circumstances during the Waukesha Christmas Parade attack case where they were able to see my commitment to fairness, to order, and to justice, both for the defendant and for the victims in that case. I think it's so very important that the people of Wisconsin elect a justice who's going to have that commitment, who's not going to be driven by outcomes or an overt political agenda. None of us are running for the legislature. That’s where laws are made, but you wouldn't know that based on the campaigns of the two candidates who are on the left or what they call liberal or even themselves calling themselves progressive candidates.
Dorow: Well, with any issue that comes before the court, I’m going to let the law guide each and every decision that I make, and set aside whatever my personal preferences are, because that's the role of a judge and a justice. To make legal determination and not push an overt political agenda. You know, Lady Justice is the symbol for the justice system for a reason. She is holding balance scales, and she's blindfolded. That is a reminder to me, and to every person in Wisconsin, and hopefully to every justice, of what our role is. The rule of law, stability, fairness, and predictability all depend on justices honoring that very clear role that we have.
Dorow: You know, that was a case that took some interesting twists and turns. Certainly, I don't think anyone involved with that case could have predicted what happened. But what people got to see during that case is my commitment to upholding the constitutional rights for the defendant, who was accused of some horrific thing, but also upholding the rights of the victims and ensuring that throughout that entire process, fairness, order, and justice could occur. And that's what I do day in and day out, and what I've done day in and day out for the last 11 years. Whether there's a million people watching what I do, or just a couple of people in the courtroom, and that's what I'll take to the Wisconsin Supreme Court, is that commitment to fairness and to impartiality so that they know I will never prejudge any aspect of a case. I will give everyone a fair shot. Do the homework that's needed. Read through all of the briefs. Listen to the arguments that are presented, and then let the law guide every decision that I make.
Dorow: I want people to know that I have this unwavering commitment to fairness and impartiality, to never prejudging the cases that come before me, to keeping an open mind, and always letting the law guide every decision that I make. It's important that people know the cases that come before the court are very important. I take that role very seriously. But I also understand how important these cases are for the litigants that are before me. I've had 16,000 cases over 11 years to do just that. I've done my part, I believe, to keep Waukesha County safe and secure, and I'd be honored to do the same as Wisconsin's next Supreme Court justice. And I hope that I’ve earned the support of Wisconsinites this coming February 21, and God-willing on April 4 as well.
The primary election will be Tuesday, Feb. 21, after which the two candidates with the most votes will advance to the April 4 general election. Former Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Daniel Kelly is also running as a conservative, while Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge Janet Protasiewicz and Dane County Circuit Court Judge Everett Mitchell are backed by liberal groups.