MADISON - Judge David Deininger, Monroe, has been selected as chairman of the nonpartisan board that oversees elections in Wisconsin.
Deininger said he wasn't sure if congratulations or sympathies are in order for attaining his new position with the Government Accountability Board, given that the state is in the midst of controversial recall efforts of Gov. Scott Walker, Lt. Gov. Rebecca Kleefisch, and four Republican senators.
"It will be a challenging year for the GAB, just as the past year has been," he said. "I hope to chair the board neutrally and impartially, as it has been in the past."
Deininger is a former Green County circuit court and state appeals court judge.
Deininger, a member of the GAB board, was chosen to do the drawing, based simply on his proximity to Madison. He picked his own name at random from a glass vase Thursday to serve as chairman for this year. He succeeds Judge Tom Barland.
A new chairman is selected at random at the GAB's first meeting of every year. The meeting was done by teleconference, and Deininger was the closest member to be physically present to draw the name. Judge Gerald Nichol of Madison was in Florida at the time.
The board is comprised of six retired judges who each serve staggered six-year terms.
The board works with local election clerks on administering elections and is also in the spotlight for its role verifying signatures on petitions being circulated to recall Gov. Walker and four Republicans from office.
- Tere Dunlap
Deininger said he wasn't sure if congratulations or sympathies are in order for attaining his new position with the Government Accountability Board, given that the state is in the midst of controversial recall efforts of Gov. Scott Walker, Lt. Gov. Rebecca Kleefisch, and four Republican senators.
"It will be a challenging year for the GAB, just as the past year has been," he said. "I hope to chair the board neutrally and impartially, as it has been in the past."
Deininger is a former Green County circuit court and state appeals court judge.
Deininger, a member of the GAB board, was chosen to do the drawing, based simply on his proximity to Madison. He picked his own name at random from a glass vase Thursday to serve as chairman for this year. He succeeds Judge Tom Barland.
A new chairman is selected at random at the GAB's first meeting of every year. The meeting was done by teleconference, and Deininger was the closest member to be physically present to draw the name. Judge Gerald Nichol of Madison was in Florida at the time.
The board is comprised of six retired judges who each serve staggered six-year terms.
The board works with local election clerks on administering elections and is also in the spotlight for its role verifying signatures on petitions being circulated to recall Gov. Walker and four Republicans from office.
- Tere Dunlap