Oshkosh letter-writers share views on judge race, constitutional amendment questions

Editor's note: Letters regarding the April 2 election were due by noon March 27 and are no longer being accepted for publication.

Here are the latest letters to the editor of the Oshkosh Northwestern. See our letters policy below for details about how to share your views.

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Michael Rust stands out in race for judge

Judicial elections do not come up often, as incumbents are rarely challenged. There are many reasons for this, and I don’t intend to delve into those in this letter.

Instead, what I ask people to appreciate and focus on is that once a judicial candidate is selected, they will likely have that position for many years. The job they do will impact many of our lives either directly or indirectly during their time on the bench.

Because of this reality, it is important that voters understand the long-term impact of their votes for judge in this coming election between attorneys Michael Rust and LaKeisha Haase.

I have been a prosecutor for more than 20 years in Winnebago County, including 15-plus years as our elected district attorney. I also know and like both of our candidates for Branch 1.

In evaluating their “temperament,” as we often speak about “judicial temperament,” which includes a judge’s characteristics and attitudes, Michael Rust clearly stands out and I am endorsing and supporting him in his campaign.

Rust has spent more than nine years running Winnebago County’s Conflict Resolution Center, has helped establish restorative justice programs and interventions for juvenile offenders, and is currently serving as a court commissioner in Winnebago County. Rust has consistently exhibited humility, patience, neutrality and open-mindedness in his evaluating and deciding matters and consistently shows the characteristics that we want in a person with as much power and influence as a judge has.

Please join me in supporting Michael Rust.

Christian A. Gossett

Oshkosh

Candidates in their own words: Meet your Winnebago County Circuit Court Branch 1 judge candidates

Vote ‘No’ on both constitutional amendment questions

I’m voting “No” on both election-related constitutional amendment questions on April 2, and I urge others in Oshkosh to do the same.

No matter our race, background or ZIP code, Wisconsinites know voting is a fundamental right, yet a handful of politicians want to pass knee-jerk laws that affect the safety and security of our elections and will prevent voters from making their voices heard.

The first constitutional amendment question would limit critical funding for our elections without any plan to make sure election administrators have the tools they need. I support fully funded and well-run elections. That’s why I will vote “No” on question one.

The second question would deprive our hardworking election officials of outside expertise and community support that help make our elections run smoothly and accurately. I trust my local election officials and want them to have the resources they need. That’s why I will vote “No” on question two.

These constitutional amendments could affect how long we wait in line to vote, how many polling locations are open and the speed of results. I care about these things in our elections, and I know others in Oshkosh agree.

On April 2, we have the chance to show that our votes can make a difference and we care about our elections.

Vote “No” on both April 2. Visit MyVote.Wi.Gov to view your ballot and find your polling place.

Deb Martin

Oshkosh

Our letters policy

Letters to the editor are published in the order in which they are received and letter-writers are limited to having one letter published per month. Letters can be emailed to oshkoshnews@thenorthwestern.com and Editor Brandon Reid at breid@gannett.com. Letters must meet specific guidelines, including being no more than 250 words and be from local authors or on topics of local interest. All submissions must include the name of the person who wrote the letter, their city of residence and a contact phone number. Letters are edited as needed for style, grammar, length, fairness, accuracy and libel.

This article originally appeared on Manitowoc Herald Times Reporter: Oshkosh letters on judge race, constitutional amendment questions