1996 Wisconsin Supreme Court election

none April 2025 April 2025 1996 Wisconsin Supreme Court election Wisconsin presidential No 1995 Wisconsin Supreme Court election 1995 1997 Wisconsin Supreme Court election 1997 March 19, 1996 Justice Crooks 2009 (cropped).jpg N. Patrick Crooks c0c0c0 520,594 59.07% 3x4.svg Ralph Adam Fine c0c0c0 360,686 40.93% 1996 Wisconsin Supreme Court election results map by county.svg 250px Crooks: #ff9a50 50–60% #ee8e50 60–70% #d69850 70–80% #b98a35 80–90%Fine: #B380FF 50–60% Justice Roland B. Day N. Patrick Crooks 1986 Wisconsin Supreme Court election 1986 2006 Wisconsin Supreme Court election 2006 The 1996 Wisconsin Supreme Court election was held on March 19, 1996, to elect a justice to the Wisconsin Supreme Court for a ten-year term. The incumbent justice, Chief Justice Roland B. Day, retired after 22 years on the court.Multiple sources: https://wicourts.gov/courts/supreme/justices/retired/day.htm Roland B. Day (1919-2008) Wisconsin Court System January 5, 2020 http://www.lacrossetribune.com/articles/2008/07/29/newsupdate/15day.txt Roland Day, former state Supreme Court chief, dies La Crosse Tribune Cullen Sandy July 29, 2008 January 5, 2020 Wisconsin circuit court judge N. Patrick Crooks won the election, defeating Wisconsin Court of Appeals judge Ralph Adam Fine in the general election. Background While Wisconsin typically holds its spring elections in early April, the 1996 spring general election was held on March 19. This is because in March 1995, Governor Tommy Thompson signed into law a bill moving both the 1996 spring general election and the state's presidential primaries from April 2 to March 19 in order to align its primary with the Illinois, Michigan, and Ohio primaries held on that day. This was done in hopes that Wisconsin can join these fellow Midwestern states in a so-called "Big Ten primary" held shortly-following the southern Super Tuesday in the major party primary calendars.Big Ten Primary https://www.newspapers.com/image/273715764 Newspapers.com subscription Wausau Daily Herald 5 April 2025 en April 6, 1995 The 1995 and 1996 elections were the fourth instance in the court's history in which two consecutive elections were for open seats (without an incumbent running).The five previous instances in Wisconsin state history in which consecutive supreme court elections have been for open seats were:Ostermeier Dr Eric Wisconsin Supreme Court 2025 Election by the Numbers https://smartpolitics.lib.umn.edu/2025/01/12/wisconsin-supreme-court-2025-election-by-the-numbers/ Smart Politics (University of Minnesota) 5 July 2025 13 January 2025 1961 and 1963 1977 and 1978 1980 and 1983 2025, two subsequent instances of this have since occurred: 2018 and 2019 2023 and 2025 Candidates Advanced N. Patrick Crooks: Wisconsin Circuit Court judge for the Brown County circuit (branch 6) since 1977, unsuccessful candidate for supreme court in 1995March 17, 1996 Mar 17, 1996, page 7 - The Oshkosh Northwestern at Newspapers.com https://www.newspapers.com/image/247787273 subscription The Associated Press en Newspapers.com Ralph Adam Fine: Wisconsin Court of Appeals judge since 1988, former Wisconsin Circuit Court judge for the Milwaukee County circuit (1979–88), unsuccessful candidate for Supreme Court in 1989 Eliminated in primary Lawrence "Larry" J. Bugge, Madison-based attorney (resident partner at Foley & Lardner), Wisconsin representative to the Uniform Law Commission (since 1973), former president of the Uniform Law Commission (1989–1991), former president of the State Bar of WisconsinWedenmeyer and Bugge Best for High Court https://www.newspapers.com/image/397193088 Newspapers.com subscription The Capital Times April 16, 2026 12 February 4, 1996 Harold Vernon Froehlich, Outagamie County Wisconsin Circuit Court judge since 1981 Stanley A. Miller, Milwaukee County Circuit Court judge since 1992 Charles B. Schudson, 1st district Wisconsin Court of Appeals judge since 1992 Ted E. Wedemeyer Jr., district 1 judge of the Wisconsin Court of Appeals (1982–88; since 1992), unsuccessful candidate for Supreme Court in 1995 thumb|250px|Primary county results #FF9A50 Crooks #FFDAC1 20–30% #FFCCA9 30–40% #FFB580 40–50% #FF9A50 50–60% #EE8E50 60–70% #D69850 70–80% #B98A35 80–90% #B380FF Fine #EEDCFF 20–30% #E6CDFF 30–40% #5FD35F Wedemeyer #C0F0C0 20–30% #51C2C2 Bugge #D0F9F9 20–30% #ACF2F2 30–40% #F1C92A Froehlich #FFF5CC 20–30% #FFEEAA 30–40% #FFDD55 40–50% #F1C92A 50–60% Ideology of candidates Crooks was considered a conservative and campaigned as such. As a justice, he would later develop into a swing vote on the court who was variably categorized either as reliable conservative,Lueders Bill Op Ed: This Is First Liberal Wisconsin Supreme Court In Living Memory https://urbanmilwaukee.com/2023/04/17/op-ed-this-is-first-liberal-wisconsin-supreme-court-in-living-memory/ Urban Milwaukee April 16, 2026 en April 17, 2023 a liberal,Price Jenny State Supreme Court comes down to numbers http://www.channel3000.com/madison-magazine/business-city-life/state-supreme-court-comes-down-to-numbers/31866602 Madison Magazine June 28, 2015 June 28, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150628080208/http://www.channel3000.com/madison-magazine/business-city-life/state-supreme-court-comes-down-to-numbers/31866602 dead a centrist with liberal leanings,Ball Alan A Liberal High-Water Mark? https://scowstats.com/2023/04/05/a-liberal-high-water-mark/ SCOW Stats November 4, 2025 April 5, 2025 or a centrist with conservative leanings.Murphy Bruce Justice Crooks Is Not A Liberal http://www.milwaukeemag.com/2011/09/06/JusticeCrooksisNotaLiberal June 28, 2015 Milwaukee Magazine September 6, 2011 In general, as a justice he joined the court's majority on most opinions.Ziemer David Ziegler In Majority Most Often http://wislawjournal.com/2010/08/09/ziegler-in-majority-most-often Wisconsin Law Journal June 28, 2015 August 9, 2010 Fine was also a conservative.Thompson Bruce Data Wonk: 3 Scenarios For GOP Threats Against Protasiewicz https://urbanmilwaukee.com/2023/09/13/data-wonk-3-scenarios-for-gop-threats-against-protasiewicz/ Urban Milwaukee April 16, 2026 en September 13, 2023 Bugge was characterized as being a liberal.Belling Mark Journal Fails To Note Bias In Endorsement https://www.newspapers.com/image/1067417276 Newspapers.com subscription The Freeman April 16, 2026 Waukesha, Wisconsin 1 January 31, 1996 Primary election campaign Candidates declined to take stances on a number of hot-button issues (including capital punishment and abortion rights), arguing that they could one day be the subject of cases before them and that discussing the matters as candidates would create a judicial ethics concern.The Associated Press Seven Vie for Seat on State Supreme Court; Field Includes Six Judges, One Lawyer https://www.newspapers.com/image/416679696/ Newspapers.com subscription Chippewa Herald-Telegram April 16, 2026 7A February 3, 1996 Voter and candidate geography was seen as a likely factor in the campaign. Bugge was seen as potentially assisted by the fact that he was the only contender from the populous Madison-area, as hometown voter support could grant him an edge. Meanwhile, southeastern Wisconsin was seen as likely to have fragmented sentiments in the race, due to four candidates being from the Milwaukee area (Fine from Bayside, Miller from Milwaukee, Schudson from Shorewood, and Wedemeyer from Milwaukee). The Fox Valley was seen as likely to have some split sentiments between both Crooks and Froelich, due to both of them being from the area (Crooks from Green Bay and Froelich from Appleton). Bugge's campaign Bugge was the only contender in the election who was not a sitting judge on a state lower court. He touted this as an attribute; noting that all incumbent justices of the court had served on the state's lower courts, he argued that his differing background would add a diversity of experience to the court. He also touted the depth of his expertise on commercial law, consumer law, and business law.Gunderman Mark Supreme Court Candidates Campaign Through Area Chippewa Herald-Telegram 1A and 7A February 3, 1996: Gunderman Mark Supreme Court Candidates Campaign Through Area https://www.newspapers.com/image/416679656 Newspapers.com subscription Chippewa Herald-Telegram April 16, 2026 1A February 3, 1996 Gunderman Mark Judges/Three Candidates Campaign in Area https://www.newspapers.com/image/416679696 Newspapers.com subscription Chippewa Herald-Telegram April 16, 2026 7A February 3, 1996 Crooks's campaign 1996 marked Crooks's second campaign for the Wisconsin Supreme Court, having unsuccessfully run the previous year. Crooks spoke against judicial activism, remarking, "I feel very strongly that the rule of a judge is to interpret the law, not to make law from the bench. You've got to make a decision based on law." Policies Crooks spoke of in his campaign included support for truth in sentencing policy, and criticized the state's substitution policies as being too lenient, alleging that criminal defendants were effectively able to find the most lenient judge. He advocated for the creation of a business court. He also argued that the state needed a greater focus on policies regarding juvenile crime, including the adoption of proposed reforms he had been involved in writing for the state's Juvenile Justice Code. Fine's campaign The main argument of Fine's primary election campaign was his characterization of the current Supreme Court as lazy, criticizing the court as taking too light a caseload in recent years. Fine spoke against the Supreme Court's recent overturning of a decision he written as an appellate judge regarding the state Department of Correction's policy regarding the early release date of prisoners. Crooks's decision had held that the State Department of Corrections had been incorrect in their interpretation of statutes when adopting a policy that counted time off for good behavior for as much as years worth of time for early release of prisoners. Fine promised to refuse campaign contributions from special interests.The Associated Press Seven Vie for Seat on State Supreme Court; Candidates Focus On Variety of Issues https://www.newspapers.com/image/416679696/ Newspapers.com subscription Chippewa Herald-Telegram April 16, 2026 7A February 3, 1996 Froehlich's campaign Gunderson argued that the court needed to a take a greater caseload. He promised not to take campaign contributions from special interests. Miller's campaign Miller argued that the courts needed to have a greater focus on its role in addressing societal issues, such as racism and poverty. Schudson's campaign Schudson argued that the courts should do more to assist the victims of domestic abuse. Wedemeyer's campaign Wedemeyer proposed the creation of a blue-ribbon committee to assess the state's court system and the public's expectations for it. General election campaign As in the primary, key issues of Crooks's campaign was support for the idea of creating a business court in the state, advocacy for the state's legal system needed to focus more on juvenile crime, and support for truth in sentencing laws. Fine criticized the court for issue too many unanimous and near-unanimous decisions, arguing that this indicated a lack of intellectual debate on the court about cases that were being heard. Fine also criticized the court as being lazy, arguing that the 75 cases it had issued in its previous term was too few. He was also a critic of plea bargains, and he supported the allowing of judge substitution on demand (without cause). The editorial board of the La Crosse Tribune characterized the Supreme Court race as more eventful than was typical of such elections due to Fine's vociferous style of campaigning, writing, "Wisconsin Supreme Court races are generally quieter than this years race...given fine's aggressive personality, that's not surprising." The editorial board further noted that Fine's loud onslaught of criticisms of Crooks was likely motivated by Crooks having secured a broad array of endorsements for his campaign, placing him an advantageous position over Fine. The editorial noted that when Ann Walsh Bradley had a similar advantage over Crooks in the previous year's general election, Crooks himself had reacted by adopting more politicized and right-pandering rhetoric. After Crooks and Fine both advanced past the seven-candidate primary, Crooks hired Scott Jensen (the Republican majority leader of the State Assembly) to be his campaign manager. Fine filed a complaint with the state Ethics Board over this, accusing Jensen of utilizing his public office to secure financial gain. Fine focused his general election campaign criticisms on Crooks' acceptance of campaign contributions from special interests, and pledged that (in contrast) he would not be accepting campaign contributions or endorsements from special interests. He also questioned whether Crooks could be a neutral justice on matters involved the state legislature (due to Jensen's role in his campaign) or special interests (due to campaign contributions). Crooks argued that he and his campaign was not beholden to others because he enjoyed a broad base of support from many different groups and individuals, including groups that often came into political conflict with each other. Claiming he had a big tent of support, Crooks remarked, "we are receiving support from all sides". Crooks defended fiscal contributions from interest groups as a necessity to run an effective statewide campaign. He also claimed that the money raised for his campaign was raised independent of himself by his committee, and that he had asked that his committee keep him uninformed about what groups were contributing and also accept balanced amounts of contributions from groups on all sides of the issues being advocated on. Fine, who refused to accept endorsements or financial contributions from special interest groups, not only criticized Crooks for accepting such support, but also argued to voters that a victory by himself over Crooks would send a message to interest groups that they are unwelcome in Wisconsin judicial races. Fine argued, "I've never known any lobbyist who gave any money without expecting anything in return," and exclaimed to voters, "I believe PACS and lobbyists gave no role in judicial races. I plead with you, send them all a message that our courts are not for sale." Fine, who had grown up in the state of New York, argued that that state's judiciary had been tarnished by the influence of politics and special interests, and argued Crooks's choices for campaign manager, donors, and endorsers threatened to similarly contaminate the Wisconsin judiciary.Segall Cary Fine, Crooks Blast Each Other At Debate; Supreme Court Race: Contributions, Endorsements Key Debating Point https://www.newspapers.com/image/513815401 Newspapers.com subscription La Crosse Tribune The Wisconsin Journal 16 April 2026 C-8 March 10, 1996 The editorial board of The Capital Times opined that ethics concerns that Fine raised against Crooks regarding special interest indeed had merit, but nevertheless reluctantly endorsed Crooks, opining, The problem is that Fine is a demagogue on crime issues, and has advocated extreme positions on plea bargaining and other practices that could end up overwhelming the criminal justice system, costing taxpayers millions. In addition, Fine's combative style would destroy any sense of collegiality on the court. By the final campaign finance report before the election, Crooks's campaign had raised more than $106,000; nearly double what Fine's campaign had raised.Crooks Outspends Fine The Associated Press https://www.newspapers.com/image/1312929821 Newspapers.com subscription The Daily Telegram April 16, 2026 Superior, Wisconsin A-7 March 16, 1996 On March 8, a televised debate was held between the two contenders. Endorsements Endorsements in primary Larry Bugge State judges Nathan Heffernan, former Wisconsin Supreme Court justice Newspaper editorial boards The Capital Times (co-endorsement shared with Wedenmeyer) Milwaukee Journal SentinelOur View: Raise Your Right Hand; Come On, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Just Tell Us The Truth, The Whole Truth And Nothing But The Truth https://www.newspapers.com/image/1036292999 Newspapers.com subscription The Daily News April 16, 2026 A8 February 1, 1996 Harold Vernon Froehlich Newspaper editorial boards The Post-CrescentJudge Froehlich Deserves Promotion To High Court https://www.newspapers.com/image/290998370 Newspapers.com subscription The Post-Crescent April 16, 2026 A-8 February 4, 1996 Ted Wedenmeyer Jr. Newspaper editorial boards The Capital Times (co-endorsement shared with Bugge) Endorsements in general election Patrick Crooks Members of the U.S. House of Representatives Scott Klug, congressman from Wisconsin's 2nd district (Republican)Segall Cary 6 Big Names Back Crooks; Fine Calls That "Worthless" https://www.newspapers.com/image/398382069 Newspapers.com subscription Wisconsin State Journal April 16, 2026 3B March 7, 1996 State judges Nathan Heffernan, former Wisconsin Supreme Court justice Statewide officials Tommy Thompson, governor (Republican)Still Thomas W. The Winners and Losers Who Didn't Run https://www.newspapers.com/image/397207182 Newspapers.com subscription Wisconsin State Journal April 16, 2026 13 March 21, 1996Fine Balks At Governor's Endorsement of Crooks https://www.newspapers.com/image/1036296112 Newspapers.com subscription The Daily News The Associated Press April 16, 2026 West Bend, Wisconsin A10 February 15, 1996 Local officials Mike Blaska, chairman of the Dane County Board of Supervisors Bill Foust, district attorney of Dane County Richard J. Phelps, Dane County executive (Democrat) Paul Soglin, mayor of Madison (Democrat) Individuals Larry Bugge, 4th-place finisher in the primary Trade unions AFL-CIOAFL-CIO Backs Crooks https://www.newspapers.com/image/1067366034 Newspapers.com subscription The Freeman April 16, 2026 Waukesha, Wisconsin 6A February 15, 1996 Newspaper editorials The Capital TimesPut Crooks on the High Court https://www.newspapers.com/image/521768142 Newspapers.com subscription 6A The Capital Times April 16, 2026 April 16, 2026 Green Bay Press-GazetteCrooks Clear Choice for State Supreme Court https://www.newspapers.com/image/190481975 Newspapers.com subscription Green Bay Press-Gazette April 16, 2026 10 March 10, 1996 La Crosse TribuneCrooks Solid Pick for Supreme Court https://www.newspapers.com/image/513816235 Newspapers.com subscription La Crosse Tribune April 16, 2026 E-2 March 17, 1996 Wisconsin State JournalFor Supreme Court – Pat Crooks https://www.newspapers.com/image/397206148 Newspapers.com subscription Wisconsin State Journal April 16, 2026 2B March 17, 1996 Results 1996 Wisconsin Supreme Court electionhttp://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/WI.WIBlueBk1997 State of Wisconsin 1997-1998 Blue Book State of Wisconsin 1997 Barish Lawrence S. Elections in Wisconsin 869–870 January 5, 2020 | colspan="6" style="text-align:center;background-color: #e9e9e9;"| Primary election ( February 6, 1996) Nonpartisan politician N. Patrick Crooks 84,223 27.03 Nonpartisan politician Ralph Adam Fine 50,801 16.31 Nonpartisan politician Ted E. Wedemeyer Jr. 44,988 14.44 Nonpartisan politician Lawrence J. Bugge 44,020 14.13 Nonpartisan politician Harold Vernon Froehlich 34,632 11.12 Nonpartisan politician Stanley A. Miller 28,047 9.00 Nonpartisan politician Charles B. Schudson 24,853 7.98 311,564 100 | colspan="6" style="text-align:center;background-color: #e9e9e9;"| General election (March 19, 1996) Nonpartisan politician N. Patrick Crooks 520,594 59.07 Nonpartisan politician Ralph Adam Fine 360,686 40.93 881,280 100 -6.12 Notes References Category:Wisconsin Supreme Court elections Supreme Court Category:March 1996 in the United States Wisconsin