Supreme Court candidates discuss their thoughts on judicial philosophy.
Incumbent Supreme Court Justice Pat Roggensack says her judicial philosophy is driven by the Wisconsin Constitution. Roggensack says when she makes decisions on the bench she tries to figure out the intent of the legislature when lawmakers passed the measure. She says she wasn’t elected to modify the law if she doesn’t like it.
Roggensack is vying for a second ten-year term on the High Court. “I call the balls and the strikes as I see them when they come through the courts but I do not make up the game. And I think that’s the way you’re supposed to show appropriate respect for the other branches of government.”
Challenger Marquette law professor Ed Fallone agrees it’s not the role of the courts to second guess the policy choice of the legislature simply because a judge disagrees. “I think the court should defer to those procedures as adopted by the legislature, unless, of course, the legislature goes too far.”
Fallone says, if elected, he intends to be independent, open minded, and decide each case on its individual merits.
The candidates made their comments last week during a WisPolitics luncheon in Madison.
Polls open at 7:00 am, and will remain open through 8:00 pm.
AUDIO: Jackie Johnson report 1:41
