Waukesha County Circuit Court Races Heat Up Ahead of Election Results

WAUKESHA, Wis. — Polls closed at 8 p.m. Tuesday following a competitive election for three judicial seats in Waukesha County Circuit Court. Voters chose among four candidates, including one incumbent, for two contested branches in this pivotal election.

Bridget Schoenborn, appointed by Governor Tony Evers in May 2024 to Branch 4, faced a challenge from David Maas, a seasoned prosecutor with experience spanning over two decades across three counties. Schoenborn, who built her career as an Assistant United States Attorney with the U.S. Department of Justice, emphasized her commitment to prosecuting serious crimes, stating, “I have taken on drug cartels and violent street gangs to ensure our communities remain safe.”

Maas, who previously worked as an assistant district attorney in Milwaukee, Dane, and Fond du Lac counties, expressed his intent to bring a fresh perspective to the bench. “My extensive experience prosecuting Internet Crimes Against Children allows me to handle cases with sensitivity and precision,” he noted.

Meanwhile, attorneys Fred Strampe and Zach Wittchow vied for the seat soon to be vacated by Judge Brad Schimel, who opted not to run for re-election. Strampe has a background primarily in civil law but served as a judge for Branch 7 for seven months in 2023 after completing Judge Maria Lazar’s term. “My judicial experience equips me to remain impartial and fair,” Strampe stated.

Wittchow, who has prosecuted numerous significant criminal cases since joining the Waukesha County District Attorney’s office in 2019, highlighted his track record in addressing dangerous offenders. “I’m committed to applying the law judiciously for the benefit of all citizens,” he said, referencing his experience in the Darryl Brooks homicide trial linked to the 2021 Christmas Parade tragedy.

Election results will be reported once votes are counted and canvassed. As of late Tuesday night, unofficial results indicated that voting percentages for Strampe and Wittchow remained at 0% with no precincts reporting.

In addition to local races, the Wisconsin Supreme Court election looms large, with candidates Judge Susan Crawford and Judge Brad Schimel attracting significant financial backing. Breaking records, nearly $99 million has been poured into this campaign, marking the election as one of the most expensive in U.S. history. Key supporters for Schimel include President Donald Trump and billionaire Elon Musk, the latter donating $3 million directly to the campaign.

Conversely, Crawford benefitted from endorsements from high-profile figures like Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and financial contributions from major Democratic donors including George Soros and Illinois Governor JB Pritzker.

The eventual winner will influence the court’s ideological balance, potentially maintaining a 4-3 liberal majority or shifting to a conservative stance, which could critically affect future rulings on voting and election challenges in this crucial electoral battleground.