Prosser’s Campaign Co-Chair, Steps Down and Endorses Kloppenburg for WI Supreme Court

Supreme Court Justice David Prosser’s Campaign Co-Chair resigned today, and endorsed Joanne Kloppenburg. To explain his change of heart, former governor Patrick Lucey  cited Prosser’s lack of  impartiality. and “disturbing distemper and lack of civility”.

Patrick Lucey is now 93 years old. Mister Lucey is a former lieutenant governor and also governor of Wisconsin in the 60’s and 70’s .

At a ceremony two years ago, gormer Governor Doyle praised “Lucey’s gubernatorial record, crediting him for helping little school districts like DeSoto survive with the equalized school aid formula that he signed as governor. He also made note of the former governor’s push to combine the University of Wisconsin with the state colleges to form one unified system of higher education”.-from CapTimes

Statement from Patrick J. Lucey

March 31, 2011

For immediate release

contact: Jeff Fleming, 414-559-2497

“As a former Governor who appointed to Wisconsin’s Supreme Court two quite different but equally principled Justices – Shirley Abrahamson and Roland Day – and who has over the years endorsed several more Justices, I have followed with increasing dismay and now alarm the campaign of Justice David Prosser, whom I endorsed at the outset of his campaign and in whose campaign I serve as the Honorary Co-Chairman.

“I can no longer in good conscience lend my name and support to Justice Prosser’s candidacy. Too much has come to light that Justice Prosser has lost that most crucial of characteristics for a Supreme Court Justice – as for any judge – even-handed impartiality. Along with that failing has come a disturbing distemper and lack of civility that does not bode well for the High Court in the face of demands that are sure to be placed on it in these times of great political and legal volatility.

“At the very same time that my confidence in Justice Prosser has waned, I admire and have continued to be impressed with Assistant Attorney General JoAnne Kloppenburg. She has adhered throughout the campaign to even-handedness and non-partisanship and has exhibited both promising judicial temperament and good grace even in the heat of a fierce campaign.

“For these reasons I have today resigned as Honorary Co-Chairman of Justice Prosser’s campaign, and I endorse Assistant Attorney General JoAnne Kloppenburg for the Wisconsin Supreme Court on April 5, 2011.”

—
Jeff Fleming
President
Kingston Crossing, LLC
P.O. Box 1882
Milwaukee, WI 53201-1882
www.kingstoncrossing.com
414-559-2497