For over 20 years, the WRA has been involved with statewide elections for the Wisconsin Supreme Court. This year, the WRA expanded its involvement in judicial elections to include the critical appellate court races. 

There are two strong reasons to be involved in these judicial elections. First, similar to cases decided by the Wisconsin Supreme Court, Wisconsin Court of Appeals decisions have statewide impacts. Published opinions are binding on all circuit courts and appeals courts throughout Wisconsin. Additionally, because any case can be automatically appealed, the appeals court decides many appeals — many of which involve issues impacting the real estate industry such as land use and zoning, contracts, legal title, foreclosure, financing and liability. Unless an appeals court opinion is reversed by the Wisconsin Supreme Court, these opinions are binding. 

For the 2021 spring elections, the WRA has endorsed two highly qualified candidates: Judge Shelley Grogan in Court of Appeals District II, and Judge Gregory Gill in Court of Appeals District III. The WRA’s Strategic Advocacy Group and the WRA leadership team interviewed all the candidates. After successful interviews, the WRA board of directors unanimously and enthusiastically endorsed Judge Grogan and Judge Gill.

Grogan and Gill received the WRA’s endorsement for three reasons

• Both candidates believe their job is to apply the law as directed by higher courts, the legislature and the constitution. That is, judges are to apply the law as it is — not as what they want it to be. Both candidates believe that the state and federal constitution should be strictly construed and share 
  a conservative judicial philosophy.
• Both candidates support private property rights and illustrate a broad understanding of why this is so important. Judge Gill teaches real estate law at Fox Valley Technical College, and Judge Grogan has been working with and for judges committed to protecting private property rights for 25 years. 
• Both candidates support the First Amendment’s guarantee to the freedom of speech, including political speech. As an organization heavily involved in elections of all kinds, this 
  is a critically important issue to the WRA. 

We urge all members of the WRA who live in Court of Appeals Districts II and III to vote for Shelley Grogan and Gregory Gill for the Wisconsin Court of Appeals on April 6.

Joe Murray is Director of Political and Governmental Affairs for the WRA. 

Why it matters to you

Any court case in Wisconsin can be automatically appealed and sent to the Wisconsin Court of Appeals. Thus, the appeals court decides many appeals — many of which involve issues impacting the real estate industry such as land use and zoning, contracts, legal title, foreclosure, financing and liability.