Candidate Profile: Grogan For WI Court Of Appeals District 2

The 2021 election is heating up in Wisconsin and there are plenty of races with candidates eager to serve in elected office. Voters will also decide the outcome of state representative, senate seats and local government and school boards.

Patch asked candidates to answer questions about their campaigns and will be publishing candidate profiles as election day draws near.

Judge Shelley Grogan hopes to be elected as Court of Appeals Judge for District 2 in Waukesha.

The Court of Appeals is the state's intermediate appellate court. The court is composed of 16 judges from four districts headquartered in Milwaukee, Waukesha, Wausau, and Madison.

Age (as of Election Day)

53

Position Sought

Court Of Appeals Judge, District 2

Party Affiliation

None - nonpartisan

Family

Widowed; 3 children, ages 18-24

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

Education

Marquette University, 1989; Marquette University Law School 1992.

Occupation

Judge City of Muskego, Judicial Assistant Justice Rebecca Bradley, Adjunct Professor Marquette University Law School

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office

Elected: Judge City of Muskego

Campaign website

judgeshelleygrogan.com

Why are you seeking elective office?

I'm running because the people deserve a judge who will always stand up for the rule of law and protect our Constitutional freedoms. The Constitution is the law and I will not set it aside or legislate from the bench. I am a constitutional conservative who will act independently and impartially in every case.

The single most pressing issue facing our (board, district, etc.) is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

Our appellate courts need more constitutional conservative judges who are committed to upholding the Constitution and the rule of law. Currently, our court of appeals has only 2 constitutionalists. We also need to improve efficiency so that the people do not have to wait so long for a decision from the courts.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

I am a constitutional conservative and will decide cases based on the Constitution and the rule of law. My opponent does not even mention the Constitution on his campaign website. My commitment to protecting constitutional rights is why an overwhelming majority of the Sheriffs across the 2nd District have endorsed me. I am law enforcement's choice. In addition to the endorsements of the 10 County Sheriffs, the Milwaukee Police Association (which has over 700 members in the District) has also endorsed me.

I am the only candidate in this race endorsed by Pro-Life Wisconsin, Wisconsin Right to Life, and Wisconsin Family Action. I am the conservative choice as evidenced by my endorsements from U.S. Senator Ron Johnson, Governor Scott Walker, Tonette Walker, Rebecca Kleefisch, and many other conservative leaders.

Justice Rebecca Bradley and Justice Dan Kelly who worked with me day in and day out for years have endorsed me because they know I am committed to deciding every case based on the Constitution and rule of law.

Another critical difference is that my opponent worked only as a Milwaukee Insurance lawyer before being appointed by Governor Tony Evers--he had no judicial experience in the court system. In contrast, I not only worked as a private practice attorney, but I have almost 27 years working in the Wisconsin Judicial System. I am a Judge in the City of Muskego--where cases are tried. I have handled over 2500 cases as a sitting Judge.

I spent 21 years working in the Wisconsin Court of Appeals with Judge Ted Wedemeyer, Jr. and Judge Ralph Adam Fine. I drafted over 1,000 appellate court decisions. I also have almost 6 years' experience working in the Wisconsin Supreme Court with constitutional conservative Justice Rebecca Bradley, where I have been involved in more than 100 writings and close to 300 opinions.
Finally, I have lived in Muskego for over 25 years, raised my family here, and have been a volunteer in my church and community.

Muskego is in one of the 12 counties the District 2 Court of Appeals serves. The Wisconsin Constitution requires appellate court judges to reside in the District they serve. My opponent lived in Milwaukee County (which is outside District 2) when he was appointed by Gov. Evers.

If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community (or district or constituency)

In his first 16 months in office, my opponent released only 5, three-judge opinions, which is less than half as many three-judge opinions as his colleagues during the same time period. The Wisconsin Supreme Court has decided to review 4 of those 5 opinions. Most court of appeals cases are not reviewed by the supreme court.

The people need judges who will work hard and who will decide cases based on the constitution and the rule of law.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

I have been working for the people of Wisconsin with constitutional conservative judges and justices for almost 27 years. During that time, I have seen a wide variety of legal issues in every area of the law--constitutional, civil, criminal, family, juvenile, property, tax, administrative, municipal, environmental, business, employment, probate, open records, election, mediation, arbitration and many more. I can handle this job and I am uniquely qualified to serve the people as their appellate court judge.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

Have courage and be kind.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

Judges are servants of the people and their most important role is to support the Constitution and the rule of law. I am committed to preserving, protecting, and defendant constitutional rights.
I also strongly believe that Judges should be honest. Voters should be able to trust what judicial candidates say and judges should stay true to their word after being elected.