MADISON—Today, another eight current and retired Wisconsin judges endorsed Judge Ben Jones for election to a full term in Dane County Circuit Court, Branch 1.
The endorsements come from Dane County Judges Rick Niess (Ret.), Frank Remington (Ret.), and Amy Smith (Ret.), Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judges Mark Sanders (Branch 28) and Jorge Fragoso (Branch 23), Racine County Circuit Court Judge Jamie McClendon (Branch 7), Eau Claire County Circuit Court Judge Emily Long (Branch 3), and Wood County Circuit Court Judge Emily Nolan-Plutchak (Branch 3).
“During my time on the bench, I learned how essential it is for a judge to combine strong legal reasoning with a deep sense of empathy. Judge Ben Jones brings both qualities to his courtroom every single day,” said Retired Dane County Circuit Court Judge Amy Smith. “He listens carefully and treats every person before him with dignity. Ben has the temperament and commitment to justice that Dane County residents deserve from their judiciary. I’m proud to support him.”
Judge Jones is personable, compassionate, hard-working, enthusiastic, open-minded, respectful, and honest,” said Retired Dane County Judge Rick Niess. “As a circuit court judge, his respect for the law, agile mind, and thoughtful approach to judging have served the people of Wisconsin well. I am pleased to support him in this election.”
“I’m deeply honored to receive these endorsements from my esteemed colleagues in Dane County and around the state,” said Judge Ben Jones. “Each one of these current and former judges has put in years of service and contributed to a high standard for fairness, clarity, and integrity. I’m grateful for their confidence in my work and for the example they have set. I will continue working to uphold the law with fairness and compassion every day as I serve the people of Dane County.”
These current and retired judges join an impressive list of endorsements for Judge Jones, including Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Susan Crawford, Dane County Sheriff Kalvin Barrett, nine legislators from Dane County, and six current Dane County Circuit Court Judges. See the complete – and growing – list of endorsements at judgebenjones.com/endorsements.
A longtime champion for the rights of kids and inclusion in education, Judge Jones was appointed to the bench by Governor Tony Evers earlier this year, following a comprehensive merit-driven selection process. Prior to being appointed to the bench, Judge Jones built an impressive record as an attorney in private practice, and then was chief legal counsel at the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI), the state’s education agency.
Jones distinguished himself at DPI as the leader developing legal frameworks for providing education during the COVID crisis. He was also the architect of a legal strategy to protect children’s rights, especially as the Trump Administration has tried to undermine protections secured through generations of advocacy – especially for LGBTQ+ kids.
Judge Jones lives in Monona with his wife and two sons, and is a proud graduate of the University of Wisconsin–Madison and UW Law School.
The general election will be April 7, 2026, with a primary election to be held February 17 if there are three or more candidates.
