Collective bargaining topic of concern for Wisconsin Court of Appeals’ District I candidate

Wisconsin Appellate Judge William Brash and labor attorney Sara Geenen face off at Milwaukee Bar Assocation debate. Canidates are running for District I of the Wisconsin Court of Appeals on the April 4 ballot (Photo by Maayan Silver / WUWM)

While the national spotlight remains on the Wisconsin Supreme Court race, other elections will also be on the April 4 ballot in Milwaukee including, Wisconsin Court of Appeals’ District I and Milwaukee Municipal Court Branch 2.

The two candidates running for the Wisconsin Court of Appeals’ District I seat have very different approaches to discussing collective bargaining.

Milwaukee Labor Attorney Sara Geenen said, “people’s voices are being taken away,” regarding Act 10.

Her opponent and the incumbent District 1 Court of Appeals Judge William Brash said, “if you understand the nature of the Appeals Court, it’s referred to as an error correcting court. We don’t make policy. We review decisions of the Circuit Court to make sure they have fully complied with law,” Brash said.

Geenen has more than 30 endorsements including from labor organizations, Clean Wisconsin and Planned Parenthood.

Judge Bill Brash also a very long list of endorsements. His endorsements include, but are not limited to, The Milwaukee Police Association, dozens of other judges, as well as well-known Milwaukee attorneys.

Geenen said she grew up in a “blue collar family” and both her parents worked in paper mills.

Brash said both of his parents were in the military and that really inspired him to be where he is today. Brash said that both of his parents were strong supporters of education and his mother immigrated to the United States through Ellis Island.