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Judge candidate forms advisory committee
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MONROE - Monroe attorney Tom Vale has established an advisory committee for his campaign for Green County Circuit Court judge.

Vale announced in January that he would seek the second judicial position, which was created in 2007.

The advisory committee's job is be a liaison between Vale and the voters, Vale said. Committee members help him keep in touch with the voters and make him aware of what issues are important to the voters.

"They tell me what they hear from their friends and neighbors," Vale said.

Vale has included people from across the county to help him in his campaign, he announced in a news release earlier this week.

Monroe area members are Art Bartsch, Dave Mosher, Dennis Everson, Lori Soderberg and attorney Paul Voegeli. Jeff Pfeuti is a committee member from the Albany area and attorney Ron Braun lives in Brodhead. Jack Stenbroten will be a member from Monticello. From the New Glarus area, Gof Thomson and Brad Beal have agreed to serve on the committee. Fred Koster, a certified public accountant from Monroe, is serving as the campaign treasurer.

"I am very grateful that these committee members volunteered their time to help me with the campaign. They are a great group of people who are active in community affairs. It's not possible to run an effective campaign without a good group of volunteers," Vale said. "I am looking forward to the challenge of campaigning for the open seat and I am enthusiastic about the opportunity to serve as a judge in Green County,"

Vale said it's important to have people from across the county who represent different communities.

Nomination papers for Vale's candidacy will be distributed in December. He needs at least 200 signatures on his nomination papers to be a candidate.

The papers have to be turned in by the end of the year.

Green County voters will choose between Vale and Green County Court Commissioner Timm Burns, who also announced his candidacy earlier this year. They are running for the second branch position.

The first branch judgeship is held by Green County Circuit Court Judge James Beer. Beer has not announced his candidacy for re-election but said he will do so in the near future.

The non-partisan election for the open position will take place April 7, with the new judge taking office in August.

Vale received a bachelor of science degree in agricultural journalism with honors from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and received his law degree from Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa. He is licensed to practice in Iowa and Wisconsin, as well as the Federal District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin. He is a member of the Wisconsin and Iowa State Bar Associations and he is a member of and past president of the Green County Bar Association. He has been in private practice in Monroe since 1982 and is a partner in the law firm of Duxstad, Vale and Bestul, S.C.