Frederica Freyberg:

Looking ahead now to next week and the spring primary election on Tuesday. That’s when the field of candidates running to fill the seat of retiring Justice Michael Gableman will be narrowed to two. We talked with candidates Tim Burns, Michael Screnock and Rebecca Dallet in previous weeks on “Here and Now.” In anticipation of Tuesday’s primary, here they are on why they think they are the best fit for the high court and their judicial philosophy.

Tim Burns:

I'm the most likely candidate to stand up to Scott Walker and the legislature when they act outside the law.

Michael Screnock:

I believe strongly in the rule of law and I believe that the role of the court is to interpret and to apply the law, but not to rewrite the law or to try to legislate from the bench.

Rebecca Dallet:

I prosecuted sexual predator cases in two counties and now as a judge for almost a decade, I have heard 10,000 cases, 230 jury trials, experience that is really unparalleled between me and my opponents. And experience matters.

Tim Burns:

I have strong opinions and in fact, no one who serves on the Supreme Court is a blank slate. You expect people to come to that position, having informed themselves of the law and our political system.

Michael Screnock:

And it’s not unusual for me to have a case in front of me that I have a personal feeling about or an emotional attachment about one way or the other. And I must set aside those feelings, personal opinions and emotions and not let them get in the way of my role as a judge in applying the law to the facts as they come to me.

Rebecca Dallet:

We have our roles as judges. We are not a legislature. But we also have a duty to uphold the Constitution of both the United States and Wisconsin. And when that Constitution has been violated, that’s when we are a check on those legislators.