We're just a few days away from the primary election, narrowing down the candidates for Wisconsin's High Court.
Selecting a qualified judge for the state Supreme Court is a very important decision, that's why Barbara Lyons, Executive Director of Wisconsin Right to Life , is disappointed that voters are not allowed to have more information about the candidates before pulling the lever. “Wisconsin is a state that elects its judges, yet the electorate is kept ill-informed as to how judges stand on various issues before them.”
Lyons says, in order to make an informed vote, we need to know generally where candidates lean on certain issues and principles, like abortion and sentences for crime. She says it's not enough to know where they went to school, how many kids they have and what their hobbies are.
However, this week a federal judge denied the pro-life group's request to allow candidates to answer such questions. Despite that, the group's political action committee is endorsing Washington County Circuit Judge Annette Zeigler for state Supreme Court.
“We feel that she has a philosophy that would be someone who didn't legislate from the bench … someone who would interpret the law fairly and not make up new law. And we think that's important in our judicial candidates and in our judiciary.”
Madison attorney Linda Clifford and Dane County attorney Joseph Sommers are also vying for the seat held by retiring Justice Jon Wilcox. The primary is February 20th.