The Wisconsin Supreme Court (Photo: Andrew Beckett)
Governor Scott Walker is offering few clues about who he might appoint to fill a vacancy on the Wisconsin Supreme Court.
During a stop in De Pere Monday, Walker said a panel he’s used in the past will review judicial applications over the next “day or so,” and he hopes to conduct interviews for the position later this week after they have made recommendations.
Who Walker appoints will out the remainder of Justice N. Patrick Crooks’ term, after the justice died unexpectedly last month. The term ends in July of next year, and three candidates have already announced plans to run for the seat next spring. Of those, only Appeals Court Judge Rebecca Bradley applied for the appointment. The other two applicants are Madison attorney Claude Covelli and Dane County Circuit Judge Jim Troupis.
Several government watchdog groups have called on the governor to appoint someone who is not currently running for the high court. They worry that it could set-off a heated campaign much earlier than is necessary, while adding to a political divide that has already strained relationships between the justices.
Affiliate WHBY contributed to this report.