Judge Annette Ziegler chosen as next Wisconsin Supreme Court chief justice
Wisconsin's Supreme Court justices have chosen Annette Ziegler to replace Patience Roggensack as chief justice
Wisconsin's Supreme Court justices have chosen Annette Ziegler to replace Patience Roggensack as chief justice
Wisconsin's Supreme Court justices on Wednesday picked Annette Ziegler to replace Patience Roggensack as chief justice.
The court announced the change in a news release.
"Being chosen to serve as Chief Justice of the Wisconsin Supreme Court is truly the honor of a lifetime," Ziegler said. "It's a long way from sweeping the floors of my parent’s hardware store, but I know the lessons I learned back then formed the foundation for how I will approach this awesome responsibility. I will do all I can to ensure the Wisconsin Supreme Court operates fairly and efficiently with a fidelity to the law. We will make the people of this great state proud of our professionalism and collegiality, even during our sometimes vigorous debates. I want to thank my colleagues for their faith in me, especially Chief Justice Roggensack who has set a wonderful example for me to follow. I'm grateful she is remaining on the Court and will be a tremendous resource for me."
It did not break down how the justices voted.
Court spokesman Tom Sheehan didn't respond to messages.
Ziegler, 57, was first elected to the Wisconsin Supreme Court in 2007 and was re-elected in 2017.
Court terms are 10 years.
She has served as a circuit judge in Washington County and holds a law degree from Marquette University.
Roggensack, 80, was elected to the Supreme Court in 2003 and again in 2013.
The justices selected her to replace Shirley Abrahamson as chief justice in 2015 after voters approved a constitutional amendment giving justices the power to pick their chief.
Before the amendment the longest-serving justice was automatically the chief.
The chief justice's term runs two years.
The news release said Roggensack didn't want another term in the position but will stay on the court.
She and Ziegler are part of the court's four-justice conservative majority.
There are three liberals on the court.
Ziegler's term begins May 1.
The Wisconsin Constitution, the chief justice of the Supreme Court is the administrative head of the judicial system and exercises administrative authority pursuant to procedures adopted by the Supreme Court.
In this role, the chief justice works with fellow justices, the director of state courts, chief judges and other administrators to ensure the courts operate smoothly and efficiently.