MADISON—Today, rural, urban, and suburban elected officials from all across Dane County announced their endorsement of Judge Ben Jones to continue presiding in Circuit Court, Branch 1.
The latest officials to endorse Ben Jones include:
- Mayor Steve Stocker of Sun Prairie, former Monona Mayor Mary O’Connor, and former Middleton Mayor Judy Karofsky
- Madison Alders Mike Verveer (District 4), Regina Vidaver (District 5), Davy Mayer (District 6), Bill Tishler (District 11), and Sean O’Brien (District 16)
- Waunakee Village President Kristin Runge, and Waunakee Village Board Members Sam Kaufmann and Nila Frye.
- Monona City Councilmembers Patrick DePula and Teresa Radermacher
- Sun Prairie City Councilmembers Casey Drengler, Rex Owens, Santiago Rosas, Cassi Benedict, and Emily Comstock
- Madison Metropolitan School District members Nicki Vander Meulen and Martha Siravo
- Middleton / Cross Plains Area School District member Bartlett Durand
The full list of endorsers also includes Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Susan Crawford, Dane County Sheriff Kalvin Barrett, State Legislators, Judges, and County Supervisors. See the full list of endorsements at https://judgebenjones.com/endorsements.
“Judge Ben Jones brings experience, integrity, and a deep respect for the rule of law to the bench,” said Madison Metropolitan School District member Nicki Vander Meulen. “He approaches every case with fairness, careful judgment, and an unwavering commitment to treating everyone who appears before the court with dignity.”
“In a time when public trust in our institutions matters more than ever, Judge Ben Jones stands out for his independence, even-handed temperament, and fidelity to the law,” said Waunakee Village Board Member Sam Kaufmann. “He is exactly the kind of judge our community deserves.”
“Judge Ben Jones has dedicated his career to public service and the fair administration of justice,” said Madison Alder Sean O’Brien. “His thoughtful approach, strong legal judgment, and respect for people from all walks of life make him an outstanding judge.”
“I’m beyond humbled by the support of such a distinctive group of elected officials from rural, urban, and suburban communities–representing the true fabric of Dane County,” said Judge Ben Jones. “Their confidence in me means a great deal, and it reinforces my commitment to serve every corner of our county with fairness, independence, and respect for the rule of law.”
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.
