Oneida County Circuit Court Judge Mary Burns will run for election on the non-partisan spring ballot.
Judge Burns brings excellence in the law, diverse experience, and a lifetime of achievement to her role as Judge.
“My role as a Judge is to serve all the people of Oneida County and to apply the law fairly and impartially,” said Judge Burns. “I am excited to announce my campaign for a full term on the Court. I look forward to running a positive race focused on my record as a tough and fair Judge and on my qualifications for this very important job.”
“I strongly believe that Mary has the varied and comprehensive background required to serve as an outstanding circuit court judge,” said Daryl Youngstrum of Pine Lake, a retired and decorated United States Air Force Major. “Her impeccable academic background and experience in the legal field make her so well qualified.”
Before becoming a Judge, Judge Burns’ legal career was focused on ensuring equal justice under the law as a member of the Wisconsin Public Defenders Office in Rhinelander. Judge Burns was in the courtroom everyday handling a variety of tough cases during her 14 years as a public defender, as she represented adults and children who would not otherwise be able to afford an attorney.
She was a founding member of the Adult Tribal Healing to Wellness court in Vilas County, a drug court program which provides substance abuse and behavioral health treatment as well as education and supervision in order to hold offenders accountable, stop the revolving door of crime, save taxpayer dollars and turn lives around.
Her legal career has also included managing her own solo practice in Rhinelander, and internships in a Federal prosecutor’s office and with US District Judge Barbara Crabb. Judge Burns is the first woman to serve on Oneida County’s Circuit Court.
Judge Burns, a native of Wausau and a 1973 graduate of UW-Madison with a BS in Art Education, went to law school after raising her two daughters both of whom graduated from Rhinelander public schools. Her life experience also includes work as a reporter at the Rhinelander Daily News, as a small business owner, and as an adjunct instructor in art at UW-Richland Center.
To learn more about her campaign, visit judgemaryburns.com
