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Wisconsin Court of Appeals District IV

From Ballotpedia
Wisconsin Court of Appeals districts

District IV of theWisconsin Court of Appeals covers 24 counties in southwestern and centralWisconsin.[1]

Contents

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
Intermediate Appellate Courts Seal-template.png
Court information
Judges:   5
Founded:   1978
Salary:  Associates: $184,995[2]
Judicial selection
Method:  Nonpartisan election of judges
Term:   6 years

Judges

JudgeTenureAppointed By

Jennifer Nashold

August 1, 2019 - Present

Elected

Brian Blanchard

August 1, 2010 - Present

Elected

Rachel Graham

July 4, 2019 - Present

Tony Evers

JoAnne Kloppenburg

August 1, 2012 - Present

Elected

Chris Taylor

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

See also:Wisconsin intermediate appellate court 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
Image of Mark Gundrum
Mark Gundrum (Nonpartisan)
 
98.4
 
461,278
 Other/Write-in votes
 
1.6
 
7,582

Ballotpedia Logo

Incumbents arebolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 468,860
Candidate Connection = 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: 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

Ballotpedia Logo

Incumbents arebolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 442,036
Candidate Connection = 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

Ballotpedia Logo

Incumbents arebolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 505,082
Candidate Connection = 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
Image of Mark Gundrum
Mark Gundrum (Nonpartisan)
 
98.4
 
461,278
 Other/Write-in votes
 
1.6
 
7,582

Ballotpedia Logo

Incumbents arebolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 468,860
Candidate Connection = 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

Ballotpedia Logo

Incumbents arebolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 442,036
Candidate Connection = 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

Ballotpedia Logo

Incumbents arebolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 505,082
Candidate Connection = 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

See also:Wisconsin intermediate appellate court elections, 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
Image of Pedro A. Colón
Pedro A. Colón (Nonpartisan)
 
98.7
 
100,016
 Other/Write-in votes
 
1.3
 
1,354

Ballotpedia Logo

Incumbents arebolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 101,370
Candidate Connection = 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

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
Image of JoAnne Kloppenburg
JoAnne Kloppenburg (Nonpartisan)
 
98.9
 
260,384
 Other/Write-in votes
 
1.1
 
2,806

Ballotpedia Logo

Incumbents arebolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 263,190
Candidate Connection = 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

See also:Wisconsin intermediate appellate court elections, 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
Image of Chris Taylor
Chris Taylor (Nonpartisan)
 
99.0
 
412,491
 Other/Write-in votes
 
1.0
 
4,362

Ballotpedia Logo

There were noincumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 416,853
Candidate Connection = 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

See also:Wisconsin intermediate appellate court elections, 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
Image of Brian Blanchard
Brian Blanchard (Nonpartisan)
 
99.1
 
198,182
 Other/Write-in votes
 
0.9
 
1,772

Ballotpedia Logo

Incumbents arebolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 199,954
Candidate Connection = 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

See also:Wisconsin intermediate appellate court elections, 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
Image of JoAnne Kloppenburg
JoAnne Kloppenburg (Nonpartisan)
 
98.7
 
239,019
 Other/Write-in votes
 
1.3
 
3,185

Ballotpedia Logo

Incumbents arebolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 242,204
Candidate Connection = 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

Wisconsin State Journal, "State appeals court judge Paul Higginbotham won't seek re-election," May 18, 2016</ref>

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
CandidateVote %Votes
Green check mark transparent.pngBrian BlanchardIncumbent (unopposed)99.43%407,280
Write-in votes0.57%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
CandidateIncumbencyPositionPrimary VoteElection Vote
LundstenPaul LundstenApprovedAYesDistrict IV99.55%   ApprovedA

2012

See also:Wisconsin judicial elections, 2012
CandidateIncumbencyPositionPrimary VoteElection Vote
KloppenburgJoAnne Kloppenburg   ApprovedANoDistrict IVn/a100%   ApprovedA

2011

CandidateIncumbencyPositionPrimary VoteElection Vote
HigginbothamPaul Higginbotham   ApprovedAYesDistrict IVn/a99.44%   ApprovedA

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:
10 E Doty St Ste 700
Madison, WI 53703-3397


Fax: (608) 267-0432

Phone:

State profile

Demographic data for Wisconsin
 WisconsinU.S.
Total population:5,767,891316,515,021
Land area (sq mi):54,1583,531,905
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

See also:Presidential voting trends in Wisconsin

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

See also

WisconsinJudicial SelectionMore Courts
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Courts in Wisconsin
Wisconsin Court of Appeals
Wisconsin Supreme Court
Elections:202520242023202220212020201920182017
Gubernatorial appointments
Judicial selection in Wisconsin
Federal courts
State courts
Local courts

External links

Footnotes

  1. 1.01.11.2Wisconsin Court System, "Court of Appeals Directory"
  2. The salary of the chief judge may be higher than an associate judge.
  3. National Center for State Courts, "2025 Salaries and Rankings," accessed October 8, 2025
  4. 4.04.14.2National Center for State Courts, "Methods of Judicial Selection," accessed August 12, 2021
  5. 5.05.1Wisconsin State Legislature, "Wisconsin Constitution," accessed September 19, 2014(Article VII, Section 4: pg.10)
  6. Wisconsin State Legislature, "Wisconsin Constitution," accessed September 19, 2014(Article VII, Section 24: pg.11)
  7. Wisconsin Court System, "Court of Appeals"
  8. Wisconsin Court System, "Court of Appeals: Judges," accessed October 27, 2015
  9. Wisconsin Elections Commission, "2022 Spring Election," accessed November 4, 2021
  10. Wisconsin State Legislature, "8.11 - Spring primary," accessed January 7, 2022
  11. Wisconsin Government Accountability Board, "Ballot Access Checklist For 2015 Judicial Candidates," accessed December 18, 2014
  12. Wisconsin Court System, "SCR Chapter 60: Code of Judicial Conduct," amended November 20, 1979
  13. The raw data for this study was provided by Dave Leip ofAtlas of U.S. Presidential Elections.
Flag of Wisconsin.svg
v  e
Wisconsin Court of Appeals
Judicial selection in Wisconsin2025 electionsWisconsin Supreme Court
District I:

Martin Joseph Donald  •  Timothy Dugan  •  Maxine White  •  Sara Geenen  •  

District II:Lisa Neubauer  •  Maria S. Lazar  •  Mark Gundrum  •  Shelley Grogan  •  
District III:

Lisa Stark  •  Gregory Gill, Jr.  •  Thomas M. Hruz  •  

District IV:

Brian Blanchard  •  JoAnne Kloppenburg  •  Chris Taylor (Wisconsin)  •  Jennifer Nashold  •  Rachel Graham  •  


v  e
State intermediate appellate courts
Webbanner1.jpg

v  e
John Doe investigations related to Scott Walker
Background
Lawsuits
State court lawsuits:Three Unnamed Petitioners v. Gregory A. PetersonEric O'Keefe, et al. vs. Wisconsin Government Accountability Board, et al.Two Unnamed Petitioners v. Gregory A. PetersonChristopher Brekken v. Bruce J. LandgrafChristopher L. Wiesmueller v. Neal NettesheimFrancis D. Schmitz v. Gregory A. PetersonCynthia Archer v. John Chisholm, et. al.Federal court lawsuits:Eric O'Keefe and Wisconsin Club for Growth, Inc. v. Francis Schmitz, et. al.Relevant rulings:McCutcheon v. Federal Election CommissionCitizens United v. Federal Election CommissionWisconsin Right to Life, Inc. v. Thomas BarlandCitizens for Responsible Government v. Wisconsin Government Accountability Board, et. al.Federal Election Commission v. Wisconsin Right to Life, Inc.Wisconsin Coalition for Voter Participation Inc., et. al. v. State of Wisconsin Elections Board, et. al.
Prosecutors
Special prosecutor:Francis SchmitzPersonnel in Milwaukee County DA's Office:John ChisholmBruce LandgrafDavid BuddeDavid RoblesRobert StelterDistrict attorneys in the five John Doe countiesJohn ChisholmIsmael OzanneJane KohlweyLarry NelsonKurt Klomberg
Courts
Judges
Attorneys
Attorneys of JD targets:Steven BiskupicTodd Graves • Michael Bresnick •Edward MeyersDean StrangMatthew O'NeillDavid Rivkin • Andrew Grossman •Attorneys of JD prosecutors and judges:Patrick Fiedler • Samuel Leib •Randall CrockerDouglas KnottJoseph M. Russell
Supporters of JD investigations
Media
Elected Officials
Government Accountability Board
Wisconsin Government Accountability BoardCurrent board members:Gerald NicholTimothy VockeThomas CaneHarold FroehlichJohn FrankeElsa LamelasPast board members:Thomas BarlandMichael BrennanStaff:Kevin KennedyDean NickelJonathan BeckerShane Falk • Nathan Judnic • Elizabeth Blackwood • J. Douglas Haag •Vendors:Digital Intelligence
Targets of John Doe I
Prosecuted:Kelly RindfleischDarlene WinkKevin KavanaughTim RussellBrian Pierick • Wiliam Gardner •Investigated:Friends of Scott Walker • Christopher Wiesmueller •John HillerJim VillaCindy ArcherJailed by prosecutors/No charges filed:Christopher BrekkenAndrew P. Jensen, Jr.Home or office raided:Kelly RindfleischCindy ArcherDarlene WinkTim RussellBrian Pierick • Christopher Wiesmueller •Compelled to testify:R.J. Johnson
Targets of John Doe II
Individuals:Kelly RindfleischEric O'KeefeR.J. JohnsonDeborah JordahlJed SanbornCarol ValleyWilliam EisnerKeith GilkesSean HannityCharlie SykesOrganizations:Wisconsin Club for GrowthClub for GrowthWisconsin Right to LifeUnited Sportsmen of WisconsinCoalition Partners, LLCR.J. Johnson and Associates • Nonbox • TenCAPITOL •Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of CommerceAmerican Federation for ChildrenAmericans for ProsperityAmericans for Prosperity WisconsinRight Direction Wisconsin PACRepublican State Leadership Committee • Committee to Elect a Republican Senate •Wisconsin Recall Action FundJobs First CoalitionEnding Spending Action Fund • Mary Stitt & Associates •Wisconsin Manufacturers & CommerceLeague of American VotersCitizens for a Strong AmericaRepublican Party of WisconsinRepublican Governors AssociationAmerican CrossroadsWisconsin Family Action
Other