Wisconsin Court of Appeals District IV
District IV of theWisconsin Court of Appeals covers 24 counties in southwestern and centralWisconsin.[1]
Jurisdiction
The courts jurisdiction includes:Adams,Clark,Columbia,Crawford,Dane,Dodge,Grant,Green,Iowa,Jackson,Jefferson,Juneau,La Crosse,Lafayette,Marquette,Monroe,Portage,Richland,Rock,Sauk,Vernon,Waupaca,Waushara andWood. The district is headquartered in Madison.[1]
- Published opinions of theWisconsin Court of Appeals can be foundhere.
| Wisconsin Court of Appeals District IV | |||
| Court information | |||
| Judges: | 5 | ||
| Founded: | 1978 | ||
| Salary: | Associates: $184,995[2] | ||
| Judicial selection | |||
| Method: | Nonpartisan election of judges | ||
| Term: | 6 years | ||
Judges
| Judge | Tenure | Appointed By |
|---|---|---|
August 1, 2019 - Present | Elected | |
August 1, 2010 - Present | Elected | |
July 4, 2019 - Present | Tony Evers | |
August 1, 2012 - Present | Elected | |
August 1, 2023 - Present | Elected |
Salary
- See also:Wisconsin court salaries and budgets
In 2025, the associate judges of the court received a salary of $184,995, according to the National Center for State Courts.[3]
Judicial selection
- See also:Judicial selection in Wisconsin
The16 judges on theWisconsin Court of Appeals are elected innonpartisan elections. Judges serve six-year terms, and to remain on the court, they must run for re-election after their term expires.[4][5]
Qualifications
To serve on the court of appeals, a judge must be:
- a qualified elector of Wisconsin;
- licensed to practice law in Wisconsin for a minimum of five years immediately prior to election or appointment; and
- under the age of 70.[6]
Chief judge
TheWisconsin Supreme Court appoints the chief judge of the Wisconsin Court of Appeals. The chief judge serves a three-year term.[4] Each of the four districts of the court of appeals is managed by a presiding judge, appointed by the chief judge of the court of appeals. The presiding judges serve two-year terms.[7][8]
Vacancies
In the event of a vacancy on the court, the governor has the power and duty to appoint an individual to the vacancy. The governor screens judicial applicants using an advisory council on judicial selection. The council recommends three to five candidates to the governor, although the governor is not bound by their recommendations. The appointed judge must then stand for election in the first subsequent year in which no other judge's term expires.[5][4]
Elections
2025
The terms of threeWisconsin intermediate appellate court judges expired on July 31, 2025. The three seats were up fornonpartisan election on April 1, 2025. The primary was February 18, 2025. The filing deadline was January 7, 2025.
Judges with expiring terms
Candidates and results
District II: Mark Gundrum's seat
General election
General election for Wisconsin Court of Appeals District II
IncumbentMark Gundrum won election in the general election for Wisconsin Court of Appeals District II on April 1, 2025.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Mark Gundrum (Nonpartisan) | 98.4 | 461,278 | |
| Other/Write-in votes | 1.6 | 7,582 | ||
Incumbents arebolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source | Total votes: 468,860 | |||
= candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you,complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
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Nonpartisan primary election
The primary election was canceled. IncumbentMark Gundrum advanced from the primary for Wisconsin Court of Appeals District II.
District III: Lisa Kay Stark's seat
General election
General election for Wisconsin Court of Appeals District III
IncumbentLisa Kay Stark won election in the general election for Wisconsin Court of Appeals District III on April 1, 2025.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Lisa Kay Stark (Nonpartisan) | 99.0 | 437,431 | |
| Other/Write-in votes | 1.0 | 4,605 | ||
Incumbents arebolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source | Total votes: 442,036 | |||
= candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you,complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data?Contact our sales team. | ||||
Nonpartisan primary election
The primary election was canceled. IncumbentLisa Kay Stark advanced from the primary for Wisconsin Court of Appeals District III.
District IV: Jennifer Nashold's seat
General election
General election for Wisconsin Court of Appeals District IV
IncumbentJennifer Nashold won election in the general election for Wisconsin Court of Appeals District IV on April 1, 2025.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Jennifer Nashold (Nonpartisan) | 99.1 | 500,591 | |
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.9 | 4,491 | ||
Incumbents arebolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source | Total votes: 505,082 | |||
= candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you,complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data?Contact our sales team. | ||||
Nonpartisan primary election
The primary election was canceled. IncumbentJennifer Nashold advanced from the primary for Wisconsin Court of Appeals District IV.
Candidates and results
Note: The following list of candidates is unofficial. The filing deadline for this election has passed, and Ballotpedia is working to update this page with the official candidate list. This note will be removed once the official candidate list has been added.
District II: Seat 3 - Mark Gundrum's seat
General election
General election for Wisconsin Court of Appeals District II
IncumbentMark Gundrum won election in the general election for Wisconsin Court of Appeals District II on April 1, 2025.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Mark Gundrum (Nonpartisan) | 98.4 | 461,278 | |
| Other/Write-in votes | 1.6 | 7,582 | ||
Incumbents arebolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source | Total votes: 468,860 | |||
= candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you,complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data?Contact our sales team. | ||||
Nonpartisan primary election
The primary election was canceled. IncumbentMark Gundrum advanced from the primary for Wisconsin Court of Appeals District II.
District III: Seat 1 - Lisa Kay Stark's seat
General election
General election for Wisconsin Court of Appeals District III
IncumbentLisa Kay Stark won election in the general election for Wisconsin Court of Appeals District III on April 1, 2025.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Lisa Kay Stark (Nonpartisan) | 99.0 | 437,431 | |
| Other/Write-in votes | 1.0 | 4,605 | ||
Incumbents arebolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source | Total votes: 442,036 | |||
= candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you,complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data?Contact our sales team. | ||||
Nonpartisan primary election
The primary election was canceled. IncumbentLisa Kay Stark advanced from the primary for Wisconsin Court of Appeals District III.
District IV: Seat 5 - Jennifer Nashold's seat
General election
General election for Wisconsin Court of Appeals District IV
IncumbentJennifer Nashold won election in the general election for Wisconsin Court of Appeals District IV on April 1, 2025.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Jennifer Nashold (Nonpartisan) | 99.1 | 500,591 | |
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.9 | 4,491 | ||
Incumbents arebolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source | Total votes: 505,082 | |||
= candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you,complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data?Contact our sales team. | ||||
Nonpartisan primary election
The primary election was canceled. IncumbentJennifer Nashold advanced from the primary for Wisconsin Court of Appeals District IV.
2024
The terms of twoWisconsin intermediate appellate court judges expired on July 31, 2024. The two seats were up fornonpartisan election on April 2, 2024. A primary was scheduled for February 20, 2024, but was not required after fewer than two candidates filed to run in each of the three races on the ballot.. The filing deadline was January 2, 2024.
Candidates and results
District I
General election
General election for Wisconsin Court of Appeals District I
IncumbentPedro A. Colón won election in the general election for Wisconsin Court of Appeals District I on April 2, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Pedro A. Colón (Nonpartisan) | 98.7 | 100,016 | |
| Other/Write-in votes | 1.3 | 1,354 | ||
Incumbents arebolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source | Total votes: 101,370 | |||
= candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you,complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data?Contact our sales team. | ||||
Nonpartisan primary election
The primary election was canceled. IncumbentPedro A. Colón advanced from the primary for Wisconsin Court of Appeals District I.
Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Gwen Connolly (Nonpartisan)
District IV
General election
General election for Wisconsin Court of Appeals District IV
IncumbentJoAnne Kloppenburg won election in the general election for Wisconsin Court of Appeals District IV on April 2, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | JoAnne Kloppenburg (Nonpartisan) | 98.9 | 260,384 | |
| Other/Write-in votes | 1.1 | 2,806 | ||
Incumbents arebolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source | Total votes: 263,190 | |||
= candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you,complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data?Contact our sales team. | ||||
Nonpartisan primary election
The primary election was canceled. IncumbentJoAnne Kloppenburg advanced from the primary for Wisconsin Court of Appeals District IV.
2023
General election
General election for Wisconsin Court of Appeals District IV
Chris Taylor won election in the general election for Wisconsin Court of Appeals District IV on April 4, 2023.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Chris Taylor (Nonpartisan) | 99.0 | 412,491 | |
| Other/Write-in votes | 1.0 | 4,362 | ||
There were noincumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source | Total votes: 416,853 | |||
= candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you,complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data?Contact our sales team. | ||||
Nonpartisan primary election
The primary election was canceled.Chris Taylor advanced from the primary for Wisconsin Court of Appeals District IV.
2022
The terms of threeWisconsin intermediate appellate court judges expired on July 31, 2022. The three seats were up fornonpartisan election on April 5, 2022. A primary was scheduled for February 15, 2022, but was not required after fewer than two candidates filed to run in each of the three races on the ballot. The filing deadline was January 4, 2022.[9][10]
General election
General election for Wisconsin Court of Appeals District IV
IncumbentBrian Blanchard won election in the general election for Wisconsin Court of Appeals District IV on April 5, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Brian Blanchard (Nonpartisan) | 99.1 | 198,182 | |
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.9 | 1,772 | ||
Incumbents arebolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source | Total votes: 199,954 | |||
= candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you,complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data?Contact our sales team. | ||||
Nonpartisan primary election
The primary election was canceled. IncumbentBrian Blanchard advanced from the primary for Wisconsin Court of Appeals District IV.
2018
District IV
General election
General election for Wisconsin Court of Appeals District IV
IncumbentJoAnne Kloppenburg won election in the general election for Wisconsin Court of Appeals District IV on April 3, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | JoAnne Kloppenburg (Nonpartisan) | 98.7 | 239,019 | |
| Other/Write-in votes | 1.3 | 3,185 | ||
Incumbents arebolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source | Total votes: 242,204 | |||
= candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you,complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data?Contact our sales team. | ||||
2017
- Main article:Wisconsin judicial elections, 2016
District IV
■Michael R. Fitzpatrick(Unopposed)
2016
- Main page:Wisconsin judicial elections, 2016
Unopposed Judge Brian Blanchard
| Wisconsin Court of Appeals, Fourth District, Brian Blanchard's Seat, 2016 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Vote % | Votes |
| 99.43% | 407,280 | |
| Write-in votes | 0.57% | 2,351 |
| Total Votes (100% Reporting) | 409,631 | |
| Source:Wisconsin Government Accountability Board Official Results | ||
2014
| Unopposed | JudgeGary Sherman (Seat 1) |
|---|
2013
- See also:Wisconsin judicial elections, 2013
| Candidate | Incumbency | Position | Primary Vote | Election Vote |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LundstenPaul Lundsten | Yes | District IV | 99.55% |
2012
- See also:Wisconsin judicial elections, 2012
| Candidate | Incumbency | Position | Primary Vote | Election Vote |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KloppenburgJoAnne Kloppenburg | No | District IV | n/a | 100% |
2011
| Candidate | Incumbency | Position | Primary Vote | Election Vote |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HigginbothamPaul Higginbotham | Yes | District IV | n/a | 99.44% |
Ethics
TheWisconsin Code of Judicial Conduct sets forth ethical guidelines and principles for the conduct of judges and judicial candidates inWisconsin. It consists of seven Supreme Court Rules:
- Rule 60.01: Definitions.
- Rule 60.02: A judge shall uphold the integrity and independence of the judiciary.
- Rule 60.03: A judge shall avoid impropriety and the appearance of impropriety in all of the judge's activities.
- Rule 60.04: A judge shall perform the duties of judicial office impartially and diligently.
- Rule 60.05: A judge shall so conduct the judge's extra-judicial activities as to minimize the risk of conflict with judicial obligations.
- Rule 60.06: A judge or judicial candidate shall refrain from inappropriate political activity.
- Rule 60.07: Applicability.[12]
The full text of theWisconsin Code of Judicial Conduct can be foundhere.
Removal of judges
Court of Appeals judges inWisconsin may be removed in one of four ways:
- By the Supreme Court, on the recommendation of theWisconsin Judicial Commission.
- By a two-thirds vote of the Senate, upon impeachment by a majority vote of the Assembly.
- By the governor, upon address of both houses of the legislature with concurrence of two thirds of each house.
- By the voters through a recall election.
Contact
Address:
| Phone:
|
State profile
| Demographic data for Wisconsin | ||
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin | U.S. | |
| Total population: | 5,767,891 | 316,515,021 |
| Land area (sq mi): | 54,158 | 3,531,905 |
| Race and ethnicity** | ||
| White: | 86.5% | 73.6% |
| Black/African American: | 6.3% | 12.6% |
| Asian: | 2.5% | 5.1% |
| Native American: | 0.9% | 0.8% |
| Pacific Islander: | 0% | 0.2% |
| Two or more: | 2.1% | 3% |
| Hispanic/Latino: | 6.3% | 17.1% |
| Education | ||
| High school graduation rate: | 91% | 86.7% |
| College graduation rate: | 27.8% | 29.8% |
| Income | ||
| Median household income: | $53,357 | $53,889 |
| Persons below poverty level: | 15% | 11.3% |
| Source:U.S. Census Bureau, "American Community Survey" (5-year estimates 2010-2015) Clickhere for more information on the 2020 census andhere for more on its impact on the redistricting process in Wisconsin. **Note: Percentages for race and ethnicity may add up to more than 100 percent because respondents may report more than one race and the Hispanic/Latino ethnicity may be selected in conjunction with any race. Read more about race and ethnicity in the censushere. | ||
Presidential voting pattern
Wisconsinvoted for the Democratic candidate in five out of the seven presidential elections between 2000 and 2024.
Pivot Counties (2016)
Ballotpedia identified 206 counties that voted forDonald Trump (R) in 2016 after voting forBarack Obama (D) in 2008 and 2012. Collectively, Trump won thesePivot Counties by more than 580,000 votes. Of these 206 counties, 23 are located in Wisconsin, accounting for 11.17 percent of the total pivot counties.[13]
Pivot Counties (2020)
In2020, Ballotpedia re-examined the 206 Pivot Counties to view their voting patterns following that year's presidential election. Ballotpedia defined those won by Trump won asRetained Pivot Counties and those won byJoe Biden (D) asBoomerang Pivot Counties. Nationwide, there were 181 Retained Pivot Counties and 25 Boomerang Pivot Counties. Wisconsin had 21 Retained Pivot Counties and two Boomerang Pivot Counties, accounting for 11.60 and 8.00 percent of all Retained and Boomerang Pivot Counties, respectively.
More Wisconsin coverage on Ballotpedia
- Elections in Wisconsin
- United States congressional delegations from Wisconsin
- Public policy in Wisconsin
- Endorsers in Wisconsin
- Wisconsin fact checks
- More...
See also
External links
Footnotes
- ↑1.01.11.2Wisconsin Court System, "Court of Appeals Directory"
- ↑The salary of the chief judge may be higher than an associate judge.
- ↑National Center for State Courts, "2025 Salaries and Rankings," accessed October 8, 2025
- ↑4.04.14.2National Center for State Courts, "Methods of Judicial Selection," accessed August 12, 2021
- ↑5.05.1Wisconsin State Legislature, "Wisconsin Constitution," accessed September 19, 2014(Article VII, Section 4: pg.10)
- ↑Wisconsin State Legislature, "Wisconsin Constitution," accessed September 19, 2014(Article VII, Section 24: pg.11)
- ↑Wisconsin Court System, "Court of Appeals"
- ↑Wisconsin Court System, "Court of Appeals: Judges," accessed October 27, 2015
- ↑Wisconsin Elections Commission, "2022 Spring Election," accessed November 4, 2021
- ↑Wisconsin State Legislature, "8.11 - Spring primary," accessed January 7, 2022
- ↑Wisconsin Government Accountability Board, "Ballot Access Checklist For 2015 Judicial Candidates," accessed December 18, 2014
- ↑Wisconsin Court System, "SCR Chapter 60: Code of Judicial Conduct," amended November 20, 1979
- ↑The raw data for this study was provided by Dave Leip ofAtlas of U.S. Presidential Elections.
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Federal courts:
Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals • U.S. District Court:Eastern District of Wisconsin,Western District of Wisconsin • U.S. Bankruptcy Court:Eastern District of Wisconsin,Western District of Wisconsin
State courts:
Wisconsin Supreme Court•Wisconsin Court of Appeals•Wisconsin Circuit Courts•Wisconsin Municipal Courts
State resources:
Courts in Wisconsin •Wisconsin judicial elections •Judicial selection in Wisconsin
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= candidate completed the