Smattering of Milwaukee County judges signed Walker recall petition
By Bruce Vielmetti of the Journal Sentinel
None of them are presiding over cases related to the effort to recall Gov. Scott Walker, but several Milwaukee County circuit judges have also signed recall petitons.
A Dane County judge who issued a temporary injunction against Wisconsin's photo ID voting law last week, David Flanagan, drew a barrage of criticism for not disclosing he had signed a peititon for a recall election of Gov. Scott Walker. The state Republican party even filed a judicial ethics complaint against him.
One other Dane County judge had signed a recall petition.
In Milwaukee County, it appears nine of 47 circuit judges signed, including Bonnie Gordon, Charles Kahn, Mary Kuhnmuench, Dennis Cimpl, Jane Carroll, Jean DiMotto, Karen Christenson, Marshall Murray, and Michael Dwyer.
The names came back on a search of a database set up by Verify the Recall. There might be others who signed who are not part of the database.
Kahn said he's heard 27 of the state's 249 circuit judges signed, something he stressed they have the complete free speech right to do.
"I don't belong to any party, or back anyone in particular," against Walker, Kahn said. "I just think as a matter of public policy the voters should get to decide. Other Republicans can run too."
He said if a dispute came before him over a law that Walker backed, he would certainly disclose that he had signed a recall petition, and probably recuse himself. He currently sits in a felony court devoted to gun crimes, but in theory, criminal charges growing out of an ongoing John Doe investigation could also touch Walker enough to prompt disclosure and possible recusal from any judge who signed a recall petition.
Kahn said when he signed, he had no idea there even was a John Doe that might expose Walker to criminal charges.
"I didn't sign as a judge," Kahn said. "I signed as a voter," who's voted in almost every election for more than 40 years.
Ben Poston of the Journal Sentinel staff contributed to this report.
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