Besides the Supreme Court, there's another high-stakes election for judge. Why it matters for Milwau
MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- While Wisconsin's race for control of the state Supreme Court is undeniably the most impactful race on the ballot for next Tuesday's Spring Election, there's another vital contest that will affect hundreds of future cases.
In a small courtroom inside the downtown 330 Kilbourn office complex, a panel of four judges reviews challenges to rulings in criminal cases and lawsuits. The vast majority of rulings issued by Wisconsin's Court of Appeals will stand as the Supreme Court accepts only a portion of appeals decisions that are challenged to the state's highest court.
The appellate court in Wisconsin is broken up into four districts: The fourth district, based in Madison, covers the southwest part of the state; the third district, based in Wausau, covers Northern Wisconsin; the second district, based in Waukesha, covers most of Southeast Wisconsin; and the first district, based in Milwaukee, handles all Milwaukee County cases.
The first district is home to Wisconsin's chief appellate judge, Bill Brash. He was appointed to the Court of Appeals by Republican former Gov. Scott Walker in 2015. Running unopposed, Brash was then re-elected to the court for a full six-year term in 2017.
His opponent, Sara Geenen, has never been a judge.
"I have established a track record going back now 33 years on a bench," Brash said in an interview.
Brash pointed to his experience as a municipal judge in Fox Point before serving on the Milwaukee County Circuit Court from 2001 to 2015, when he was appointed by Walker to the appellate court.
In an interview, Geenen said she believed the court could use a shake-up. As a lawyer who's represented unions, Geenen maintained she'd provide a valuable perspective as someone who has advocated for workers.
https://www.cbs58.com/news/besides-supreme-court-theres-another-high-stakes-election-for-judge-why-it-matters-for-milwaukee-county-voters
