Dave Deininger

Monroe

To the editor:

I am not now, nor have I ever been, a Democrat. I was once a Republican. For the last 25 years, however, as a state trial and appellate court judge, I was legally and in fact nonpartisan.

Although prohibited from actively participating in partisan politics, Wisconsin judges are of course allowed to vote. Over the past decade or so, I have found it increasingly hard to find Republican candidates above the county level for whom I could vote. I am now fully retired and no longer bound by the judicial code of ethics. I am therefore free to resume partisan political activities.

I find that I cannot rejoin my former party. For one thing, they would not have me. If Tommy Thompson can be labeled a RINO (Republican in Name Only) in a Republican primary, as he was six years ago, I can only imagine what label I would earn by my positions and votes on various issues when I served in the State Assembly. My so-called “moderate” views were once alive and well in the Republican Party but are no longer welcomed there.

As my friend and past legislative colleague, State Senator Dale Schultz, has observed, my former party no longer seems interested in enacting policies that serve the best interests of our state and all of its citizens. Rather, its leaders seem focused on rigging the system through gerrymandering, voter suppression and reliance on dark money in order to remain in power. Unless or until the current majority party starts losing elections, its leaders will have no incentive to return to an agenda of good government and sound public policy.

Incumbents, by remaining visible in their districts and providing service to their constituents, are often able to stay in office regardless of the policies they support. As important as constituent service and visibility might be, I urge voters to look at the bigger picture. Wisconsin’s state university system, its public schools, roads and environment, and our reputation for clean and open government, have not prospered in recent years. Elections do have consequences, and change is needed in Wisconsin on November 6th.

That is why I am supporting candidates who will work to restore Wisconsin state government to one in which I was once proud to serve. Jeff Wright, Kriss Marion and Tony Evers are such candidates.