Commentary from WFA president Julaine Appling:

Ok.  I know you are likely election weary; however, the privilege of living in a Republic with its representative form of government comes with the responsibility—the duty—of voting for those who represent us.

Periodic elections are a hallmark of a Republic. And a knowledgeable and responsible electorate is an absolute must if this unique form of government is going to work. And you and I as “we the people,” have the opportunity to once again be direct participants in our government by voting in the Spring Nonpartisan Primary Election this next Tuesday, February 19.  So in spite of any election weariness you may have, it’s time to shake it off, get informed, get others informed and motivated, and get to the polls.

Only one statewide race will be on your ballot next Tuesday—and that is for a seat on our state’s highest court, the Wisconsin Supreme Court.  We have seven justices on our high court, each serving ten-year terms, the longest term of office we have in Wisconsin.  Incumbent Justice Patience (Pat) Roggensack is running for her second ten-year term.  She is being challenged by Ed Fallone and Vince Megna. 

On Tuesday, February 19, we will be asked to vote for one of these three Supreme Court candidates.  The top two vote-getters will move on to the Spring Nonpartisan General Election on Tuesday, April 2.

Wisconsin Family Council has prepared a Candidate Information Publication on these three Supreme Court candidates.  The publication is available online at voteyourvalueswi. or by calling 888-378-7395 for print copies.  This is a strictly educational publication and is suitable for distribution in churches. 

To give you just a little information about these candidates, incumbent Pat Roggensack is the only candidate with judicial experience, having been elected to the Court of Appeals two times.  Vince Megna’s legal experience is as a private-practice attorney, specializing in Lemon Law litigation.  Ed Fallone is an Associate Professor at Marquette University Law School, where he teaches constitutional, corporate and criminal law.  He also practices with a law firm in Milwaukee, specializing in civil litigation.

In the area of why they are running and judicial philosophy, Pat Roggensack says, “I have shown that I understand the differing constitutional roles of Wisconsin’s three branches of government, and that I have fairly and impartially decided each case that has come before me, independent of outside pressures. As a justice, I have ‘called the balls and strikes,’ as the rule of law in each case has required.” 

Ed Fallone says that for “his entire career, [he] has been fighting to ensure all people have equal justice before the law,” while Vince Megna states, “We need to get reacquainted with the practice of ‘justice for all’ in Wisconsin. It’s time to bring common sense and a sense of humanity to the Wisconsin Supreme Court.”

There is more information on the Candidate Information Publication available at voteyourvalueswi.org or by calling 888-378-7395.

While the Supreme Court race is the only statewide race on your ballot next Tuesday, you may find other local races on there—such as for school board, city council, mayor, town or village board, circuit court, or county supervisor. 

If you are a registered voter, here are three ways to find out exactly what will be on your ballot on Tuesday, February 19:  1) Call your municipal clerk and ask.  If you can’t find your clerk’s name and number, call us at 888-378-7395.  2) Go to myvote.wi.gov and click on “regular voter” to follow the few, simple steps to see your sample ballot.  And 3) call us here at Wisconsin Family Council and we can look up your sample ballot.  That number is 888-378-7395.

Next Tuesday, you and I can have a direct say in who becomes a justice on our state Supreme Court—a very important decision as this court is deliberating on many cases that deal directly with marriage, family, life and liberty.  Take advantage of the privilege and responsibility you have as part of “we the people” to make sure good people get elected to represent you.  Get informed, get others informed and motivated to join you, and then go cast a knowledgeable and responsible ballot on Tuesday, February 19.