By: Brett Blomme, JD
My name is Brett Blomme. I am a candidate for Milwaukee County Circuit Court Branch 5 in Tuesday’s election. I know at this time of great concern in our community, an election is the last thing on many people’s minds. However, I encourage you to make a plan to cast your ballot in this upcoming election. Democracy doesn’t suspend because of this pandemic. Election officials are working to ensure that casting your ballot can be done in a safe and sanitary way. Please vote and let your voice be heard.
I am asking for your vote for Milwaukee County Circuit Court, Branch 5. I have over 15 years of experience in litigation, philanthropy, community organizing and nonprofit management. I have spent my career as a problem solver. I have spent my career working with diverse people and on diverse causes. My experience puts me in the best place to handle all types of cases with empathy and justice on day 1.
I am running for Milwaukee County Circuit Court because Milwaukee deserves judges who represent the diverse values of our community. My opponent in this race was appointed by former Gov. Scott Walker AFTER Walker lost re-election but before Gov. Tony Evers took office. Not only did Walker lose the election, he lost Milwaukee County 67% to 31%. Governor Walker made his choice for judge, now the community gets to make our choice.
I’m running for Milwaukee County Circuit Court because nothing in our broken justice system will change unless we change who we elect as judges. I am a former public defender. I have represented people when they are at their lowest point and have tried to do so with empathy and compassion. I saw first-hand how our broken criminal justice system is failing and is stacking the deck against people of color and lower income folks. This is why I have made criminal justice reform and tackling our state’s mass incarceration crisis a top priority in my campaign.
I support reforms that are working to reduce our state’s prison population by 50% in the next few years. These reforms are desperately needed and can be done. The State of Minnesota incarcerates around 8,000 people. Wisconsin has similar demographics and a comparable population and incarcerates over 23,000. All the money spent on incarceration is money that cannot be spent on schools, diversion programs, job training or anything else that would reduce our crime and make our neighborhoods safer.
I support sentencing reform. I commit to considering the horrifying effects that trauma has in our community when making sentencing decisions. I will seriously consider each and every alternative to incarceration when possible. I will be a judge that bases sentencing decisions on facts and not on fear.
We need to bring our incarcerated youth who are currently being housed at Lincoln Hills in Northern Wisconsin back home to Milwaukee. It takes the entire community to work with our youth and we cannot do that when they are hours away from home. Our children will have a better chance at rehabilitation and successfully getting out of the system if they have their support system here in Milwaukee involved in their care.
I have worked as a non-profit executive for the past few years. I have seen what justice looks like inside the courtroom and I have seen what justice looks like outside of the courtroom. Judges need to have a finger on the pulse of what is happening in the community to be an effective arbitrator of conflict in our community.
You have a choice this election. You can choose more of the same, or you can choose me. I have spent my entire professional career fighting for equity and justice for some of our communities most marginalized families. I am ready to stand with you as your next Circuit Court Judge. Better Judge = Better Justice.