JUDGE CANDIDATE SEEKS DIFFERENT VACANT SEAT

Special to the Readers of Milwaukeeworld.com

By Michael Horne

and the Milwaukee World Hound Dog Team

Dan Gabler [Marquette U '91] , a Milwaukee County Assistant District Attorney who announced plans in September to replace Branch 6 Judge Kitty K. Brennan [UW ‘77] has dropped out of the race, leaving the contest to Ellen R. Brostrom [UCLA ‘95] and Christopher R. Lipscomb, [Marquette U ‘91].
Dropping out of a race is usually considered a sign of weakness.
However, Gabler still covets the black robe of the judiciary, and instead announced his intentions to replace a different Brennan on the court.
So, he's eyeing the seat vacated by Branch15 Judge Michael B. Brennan [Northwestern U '89] instead. He'll have to battle J.D. Watts [U Wisconsin '77] for that seat. (Watts runs for vacant judgeships the old fashioned way -- only one per election cycle.) Also in the race: Ronald Dague [Marquette '90].
Although judges are circumscribed in what they can say in a campaign, you can be sure Gabler's switch will be an issue in the race, whether it signals opportunism, indecisiveness or both.
There is really only one good answer for Gabler. He should say he prefers the mural in Branch 15 over the one in Branch 6.
Nomination papers begin circulating December 1st.
Brennan's seat is now vacant, and he will join the Gass Weber Mullins law firm on December 8th, 2008. His benchmate, Judge John Franke [U Wisconsin '76], who retains his Branch 25 seat at this time, will also join the law firm at the beginning of the year. This can give Gabler yet another seat to decide to run for.

[Update: Monday, November 24th, 2008 -- Franke's resignation will be effective on the last day of this year. This means the seat will not be up for election until the Spring elections of 2010. Perhaps this delay, plus the pressures of the vacancy on the operation of the court system -- the Chief Judge is shifting assignments around to deal with the vacancies -- might induce Governor Doyle to make an appointment to Franke's seat if he can find a good enough supporter to fill it. Judges are useless for fundraising once they take office, and some folks might want to take advantage of the relief. A great opportunity for a highway builder who's also an attorney.]

Brennan and Franke were introduced to society on Thursday, November 20th, 2008, at an event at the firm's Third Ward offices. Catering was by Good Life, and bartending services were provided by Soho 7 True Lounge. A scheduling conflict prevented your correspondent from attending the event.

BUSALACCHI TO HEAD FED RR AGENCY?

Traffic World Online reports that Wisconsin Department of Transportation Secretary Frank Busalacchi is being considered for a top transportation post in the Obama administration, and says anonymous sources suggest he may be tapped to head the Federal Railroad Administration.
His role would include teaching a resurgent rail construction industry how to spread around campaign cash like highway builders do.
Busalacchi will bring a great deal of experience to the job.
The presidential appointment would require senate confirmation.
Busalacchi has been telling legislators that construction on a Milwaukee - Madison rail route could begin as early as spring, Ald. Bob Bauman reports.
He also gave written testimony to a congressional committee saying rail construction projects would be vital for economic recovery, especially if the Federal government pays 100 per cent of the cost.
--Michael Horne