MONROE - The three judicial candidates for the Green County Circuit Court's new Branch 2 know and respect each other, Thomas Vale said Monday. That's why they agreed not to run negative campaigns.
"Any of us will do a good job (as judge)," Dan Gartzke said.
Vale and Gartzke, Green County attorneys, along with Green County Court Commissioner Timothy Burns spoke Monday during a Green County Republican Party forum at Turner Hall. The three candidates will face off in a Feb. 17 primary for the Second Branch position. The top two vote-getters will be in the April 7 general election.
On Monday, they introduced themselves and explained their experience. The candidates drew comparisons between each other and why each one thinks he is the best candidate for the job.
Burns, Gartzke and Vale have experience in all facets of the court system and with all cases that would come before the court.
Vale cited his 27 years as an attorney and said he's built up a trust between himself and his clients.
Gartzke, continuing the theme of trust, said everyone in the courtroom needs to know that they are respected and be able to trust that the final decision has been reached fairly.
"When you lose a case, you want to know that you were treated fairly and that the system worked as it should," he said. "Respect is between citizens and the court and also between the court and citizens."
Burns said the job of the circuit court judge is to look at all of the facts. As court commissioner, he said he's done that to reach decisions that aren't always easy.
"I've already done many of the things a circuit court judge has to do," he said.
In 2007, the Legislature approved a second judge for the county based on an increased caseload handled by Green County Circuit Court Judge James Beer.
Green County Circuit Court Judge James Beer is running unopposed in the April election.
"Any of us will do a good job (as judge)," Dan Gartzke said.
Vale and Gartzke, Green County attorneys, along with Green County Court Commissioner Timothy Burns spoke Monday during a Green County Republican Party forum at Turner Hall. The three candidates will face off in a Feb. 17 primary for the Second Branch position. The top two vote-getters will be in the April 7 general election.
On Monday, they introduced themselves and explained their experience. The candidates drew comparisons between each other and why each one thinks he is the best candidate for the job.
Burns, Gartzke and Vale have experience in all facets of the court system and with all cases that would come before the court.
Vale cited his 27 years as an attorney and said he's built up a trust between himself and his clients.
Gartzke, continuing the theme of trust, said everyone in the courtroom needs to know that they are respected and be able to trust that the final decision has been reached fairly.
"When you lose a case, you want to know that you were treated fairly and that the system worked as it should," he said. "Respect is between citizens and the court and also between the court and citizens."
Burns said the job of the circuit court judge is to look at all of the facts. As court commissioner, he said he's done that to reach decisions that aren't always easy.
"I've already done many of the things a circuit court judge has to do," he said.
In 2007, the Legislature approved a second judge for the county based on an increased caseload handled by Green County Circuit Court Judge James Beer.
Green County Circuit Court Judge James Beer is running unopposed in the April election.