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Three now vying for 2nd spot
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MONROE - Green County attorney and New Glarus resident Dan Gartzke announced Friday he is a candidate for Green County Circuit Court Judge.

Gartzke is running for the newly-created Second Branch judge position. Monroe attorney Thomas Vale and Green County Court Commissioner Timothy Burns already have announced their intentions to run for the Second Branch position as well. The number of candidates necessitates a Feb. 17 primary in the Second Branch. The top two finishers will face off in the April 7 general election. Judge James Beer thus far is unopposed for the First Branch judgeship.

In 2007, the Legislature approved a second judge for the county based on an increased caseload handled by Beer.

Gartzke said he is running on his character and breadth of experience.

"I know it is important to bring integrity, experience and fairness to the bench," he said. "During my 22 years of practice, I have worked with individuals on a wide variety of cases. I have been fortunate to represent my clients on many different cases in many different courts across our state. I have seen first-hand the gamut of judging styles. I know what works, and what doesn't work, in the courtroom. I know I have a strong judicial character, and I look forward to using my breadth of experience to serve the people of Green County."

He is a 1986 graduate of the University of Wisconsin Law School and a member of the State Bar of Wisconsin. In addition, Gartzke is a member of the Green County Bar Association, having served as vice president in 1999 and president in 2000. He also is a member of the Dane County Bar Association, where he has served on the Board of Directors since 2004, is currently president-elect, and will be president in 2009. He is a member of the Lafayette County Bar Association and has been a member of the German American Law Association, based in New York City.

Gartzke is a partner in the law firm of Schwalbe & Gartzke, S.C., with offices in New Glarus and Madison.

He recently has focused on representing injured workers who seek medial treatment and compensation as well as resolving family law issues in divorces. He also cited his experience handling criminal and civil cases and real estate closing and drafting wills.

Gartzke, 49, has had ties to the New Glarus area since the 1970s. He and his wife, Tracey, have lived in New Glarus since 1989. Their three children, Julia, Mara and David, attend high school in New Glarus.

Gartzke and his wife have been active in many of New Glarus' organizations including the Wilhelm Tell festival, New Glarus Vision, New Glarus Community Foundation, the Arbor Day Project, Village Historic Preservation, the Friends of New Glarus Woods State Park, and Girl Scouts.