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Chief Justice Abrahamson visited with the UW-SP community, answering questions on early release, elections and more. She is up for re-election on April 7, 2009.
Abrahamson campaign hits campus: Chief Justice encourages community to get out the vote
The Pointer
jglod170@uwsp.edu
Wisconsin Supreme Court Chief Justice Shirley Abrahamson is up for re-election in Wisconsin, facing Jefferson County Circuit Court Judge Randy Koschnick in the April 7 election.
Students, as well as community members, filled a room in the Dreyfus University Center to hear Abrahamson speak about issues and the current campaign she is involved in.
“I urge you to get out the vote,” said Abrahamson. “I want you, each of you, to vote, preferably for me, and get out the vote. I’ve been urging each member of my audiences to get 100 people to vote. You each have 100 friends, so bring them to vote.”
She encouraged students and community members to ask questions and discuss issues on their mind. One of the topics discussed was that of an early release program for prisoners which has been proposed by Governor Doyle as a way to cut costs.
Abrahamson made the point that it doesn’t matter what she thinks as the legislature will have the biggest impact on these issues and she will have to carry out their decision if made.
“This will be severely debated at great length, I’m quite sure, in the legislature,” said Abrahamson.
She also discussed the process of becoming Chief Justice, as well as the many issues that have been raised around electing judges.
“There is no perfect way of selecting judges,” said Abrahamson. “Every method of selecting judges has good points and bad points. My personal view is favoring the Wisconsin system now, which has been the system since 1848.”
Wisconsin has elected judges since becoming a state. Abrahamson explained that people in Wisconsin during that time saw appointment of judges as a form of patronage and wanted to have judges earn their position through merit. That is when they decided that people would choose judges.
“I favor election now because I think the people should select officers that make important decisions. Judges don’t represent a specific party or ideology,” said Abrahamson. “They represent the law.”
Questions were also raised about the issue of funds outside the state being used to run campaigns for judges.
“There are a lot of problems about outside state money coming in and drowning out the candidates,” said Abrahamson. “We’ve had the problem for a number of elections now, but they have a right to free speech. The first amendment protects that.”
She emphasized her experience on the campaign, visiting cities throughout Wisconsin and campaigning directly with and to the people of the state.
“I have gone around this state many times,” said Abrahamson. “I’ve been in Stevens Point many times. I’ve been at UW-SP every other year at the Mel Laird Youth Program.”
Students showed appreciation for her stop in Stevens Point to meet with people in a somewhat small setting.
“I thought it was great that a candidate running for election on a statewide level came to campus; it shows that despite the fact that we’re rather small population-wise, she still has a vested interest in the city of Stevens Point and in the students of this campus,” said Sam Glenzer, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point student.
Other UW-SP students looked at the educational experience of being able to ask Chief Justice Abrahamson questions on law and politics.
“[She] was extremely pleasant to listen to,” said Holly Ehrhardt, UW-SP student. “I felt the audience was pleased with her presentation. She took the time to not only inform us about her personal values, but on basic judicial procedure and organization as well.”
Abrahamson concluded her presentation and discussion by urging students and community members to make a difference in the world through their vote and get others to do so as well.
“We hope that, regardless of your candidate, that you do get involved,” said Abrahamson.
