August 6, 2009

Georgia Herrera running for Racine County Circuit Court

It's easy to forget our local judges are elected officials. Attorneys rarely challenge incumbent judges and the judges themselves are rarely evaluated in any meaningful way. (For example, there's no way to quantify judges' rulings.) There have only been two contested judicial elections in Racine County in the past 10 years.

But when a vacancy appears on the bench, there tends to be a fight for the seat. That's what's shaping up for 2010, when at least two candidates will run to replace retiring Judge Stephen Simanek.

Local Attorney Georgia Herrera announced this week she's running for the seat, which comes with a six-year term. Attorney Gene Gasiorkiewicz had earlier announced he's also running for the seat.

Herrera was one of five candidates to replace Judge Emmanuel Vuvunas in 2004. She won the primary, but lost in the general election to Judge John Jude.

Here's Herrera's full release:
Georgia Herrera Declares Candidacy for Racine County Circuit Court

Attorney Georgia Herrera announces that she is a candidate for Circuit Court Branch 2, that will become vacant in 2010, upon the retirement of Judge Stephen Simanek. Herrera is a native of Racine, born here in 1960, a 1978 graduate of Washington Park High School. Herrera graduated from the University of Wisconsin Law School in 1985.

Georgia Herrera has a long history of service to the community and will campaign vigorously in an effort to maintain her commitment to public service. Herrera has practiced law for 24 years, spending the last 10 years serving her community as a judicially appointed Racine County Circuit Court Commissioner. Herrera prosecuted felony, misdemeanor and all other criminal law violations as an Assistant Racine County District Attorney for 11 years. Herrera served in high volume criminal and family law courts and has proven that she is a dedicated public servant practicing in all areas of the law.

Georgia Herrera has also been very active in the community, recently serving as President of the Racine County Heritage Museum Board for a number of years. Herrera currently serves as Vice-President of Next Generation Now. Herrera was also just nominated to the National Board of Directors of the Wisconsin Alumni Association. Herrera previously served for a decade on both the Neighborhood Watch Board and the Taylor Home Board. She won the Racine County Bar Association Award for Community Volunteer in 2000.

Attorney Georgia Herrera previously ran for Judge in 2004, earning the greatest number of votes in the February primary narrowly losing in the general election. When asked what might be different in this election, Herrera responded, "I have almost 6 additional years experience court commissioning, making decisions judges would make, and representing clients in all courts in Racine County. This experience will serve me well."

Herrera, is married to local attorney Jeff Leavell; and has two children, Jennings age 14 and Theo 11.

The treasurer for Ms. Herrera’s campaign is James Eastman.

30 comments:

  1. She a nice lady, but Gene Gasiorkiewicz is much more qualified. He's got my vote.

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  2. Here Come da Judge...8/06/2009 2:25 PM

    Georgia Herrera will be an outstanding judge. Gene Gasiorkiewicz will have the support of every mouthpiece in town. Herrera will do well with the general public.

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  3. The reason that she is running for judge is she'll make more money than what she is making in her current practice.

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  4. I am so excited that Georgia has decided to run for judge! She will do an amazing job. Racine needs more effective and positive leaders!

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  5. Georgia Herrera would make an outstanding judge. In my associations with her, she's demonstrated exceptional ability, legal knowledge and judgment. We would be most fortunate to have her on the bench.

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  6. Anon 2:52

    That's the ONLY reason why Dickert wanted to be mayor of this ghettofabulous city, for the money (due to the fact that the real estate market tanked).

    Why would this be any different for ms. herrera??

    It's OK for Dickert though, right???

    Isn't the American dream being successful and making lots of money???

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  7. Go Georgia!

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  8. Gene will make a fabulous judge. He's a good man

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  9. As a court commissioner, Georgia has been doing the job of a judge for many years. She is highly qualified for this position and a fine person. She has our vote. Being willing to run twice and go through all the politics involved shows us she really wants to be a judge.

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  10. Racine does need a judge like Georgia. She will serve the community well.

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  11. Qualified, hard working. I've seen her work in action. No question she SHOULD be elected for Racine. Assuming we want qualified and hard-working... too many people vote based on the wrong things. She will uphold the law.

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  12. I hope that a wise Latina woman with the richness of her experiences would more often than not reach a better conclusion than a white male who hasn't lived that life and those life experiences.

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  13. She is friends with 90% of the cops (if not more) in this city. I think it will be great to see her as a judge so she can hammer the piss out of the thugs and creeps in this city at sentencing!!

    You have my vote!!!

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  14. She is to soft to hammer the piss out of anyone - vote for Gene.

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  15. Urban Pioneer8/08/2009 4:17 PM

    I'm backing Georgia for Judge. Great person, great lady..She'll be tough when tough is called for!! Go Georgia!

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  16. Hopefully people in this city will be wise enough to vote based on experience and not race. The fact that Gene Gasiorkiewicz is a white man should not disqualify him--that's just racism. Look at their experience levels, then make a decision.

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  17. Sorry Anon 3:16. "I hope that a wise Latina woman with the richness of her experiences would more often than not reach a better conclusion than a white male who hasn't lived that life and those life experiences".

    That's what the newest Justice of the US Supreme Court said. The US Senate confirmed her. You can't be calling both the new Justice and the Senate racist, can you?

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  18. My family and I will support Georgia's candidacy to the fullest extent. Our support is based upon her unending integrity and extensive professional background. Our community will be well served by Ms. Herrera!

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  19. Anon - 9:10 First of all you don't seem to understand sarcasm. And secondly yes I do think the new U.S. Justicee is a racist by her remarks.

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  20. Georgia Herrera would simply be one of the best judges that our city could possibly elect. Her experiences and integrity are the absolute best. Let's get her elected and on the bench!

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  21. Yea - and off the streets.

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  22. Georgia will make a great judge, so would Gene! The voters won't lose no matter which way they cast their ballot. I will vote for Georgia, pleased that Racine won't lose out no matter who the winner is.

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  23. Checking in to see if this story is still on the homepage & Georgia is still running.

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  24. Checking in to see if this story is still on the homepage & Georgia is still running.

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  25. faith by action2/23/2010 11:00 AM

    My family member was a victim of crime when Georgia was in the DA's office. She came to our aid when no one else would. Others working in the system just wanted to "get it over with." When I look at her experience and the jobs held by her opponent, side by side, the choice is an easy one. I will vote for Georgia Herrera. (Enough of these personal attacks that have nothing to do with the choice of a judge.)

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  26. Georgia and I worked together for five years at the DA's office. Gerogia was always available to answer my questions and give advice to me a new attorney. She has just the right combination of experiences that make her the best candidate for the job. With Georgia on the bench Racine will have the benefit of having a knowledgable and fair judge. Georgia lives her values.

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  27. I will be casting my vote for Georgia Herrera. Racine will be well served by her relevant experience and knowledge of the law!

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  28. Georgia is an upstanding woman of high moral character. If she can withstand accusations of seeking only money, she can certainly serve Racine county well. Her time in the court system has given her the insight of what our county needs in a judge.

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  29. Dale Destiche3/12/2010 10:06 AM

    I believe in Georgia Herrera, she has dedicated her life to this community, a place she calls home. Georgia has a wealth of family and friends as well as almost all of the law enforcement community within this county; that trusts her and knows she will do a fantastic job for the constituents of Racine County. Her extensive legal experience as well as her long standing excellent relationship with law enforcement agencies has earned her my support, I hope it earns yours also.
    Look at the endorsements below: if the majority of law enforcement trusts her to look out for justice within our communities, I believe we should trust her too.
    February 11, 2010 - Press Release
    RACINE COUNTY SHERIFF ROBERT CARLSON ENDORSES GEORGIA HERRERA FOR JUDGE
    February 11, 2010 - Press Release
    RACINE COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY MICHAEL NIESKES ENDORSES GEORGIA HERRERA FOR JUDGE
    February 11, 2010 - Press Release
    WISCONSIN TROOPERS ASSOCIATION ENDORSES GEORGIA HERRERA FOR JUDGE
    February 19, 2010 - Press Release
    RACINE COUNTY DEPUTY SHERIFFS PROTECTIVE ASSOCIATION ENDORSES GEORGIA HERRERA FOR JUDGE
    February 19, 2010 - Press Release
    CITY OF BURLINGTON ACTING POLICE CHIEF MARK ANDERSON ENDORSES GEORGIA HERRERA FOR JUDGE
    February 19, 2010 - Press Release
    CITY OF RACINE POLICE CHIEF KURT WAHLEN ENDORSES GEORGIA HERRERA FOR JUDGE
    March 2, 2010 - Press Release
    TOWN OF WATERFORD POLICE CHIEF TOM DITSCHEIT ENDORSES GEORGIA HERRERA FOR JUDGE
    March 9, 2010 - Press Release
    CITY OF RACINE POLICE STAFF OFFICERS ASSOCIATION ENDORSES GEORGIA HERRERA FOR JUDGE
    March 9, 2010 - Press Release
    RACINE POLICE ASSOCIATION ENDORSES GEORGIA HERRERA FOR JUDGE
    So this April 6th please vote for Georgia Herrera

    Thank you,
    Dale Destiche

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  30. Dale,

    I am aligned with you, the law enforcement endorsements are meaningful and relevant. Georgia Herrera has the experience needed to be Racine County's next judge! In addition to her professional experience, Georgia displays unending character and integrity!!

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