MADISON—Today, former DPI Superintendent Carolyn Stanford Taylor and retired Dane Co. Sheriff David Mahoney – two esteemed retired elected officials from Dane County – announced their endorsement of Judge Ben Jones for election to a full term in Dane County Circuit Court, Branch 1.
Stanford Taylor and Mahoney join an expansive slate of current and former elected officials that have endorsed Judge Ben Jones to continue serving the people of Dane County. The full list of endorsers includes a majority of Wisconsin State Assemblymembers currently representing Dane County, a significant share of current Dane County Circuit Court Judges, Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Susan Crawford, who Judge Jones replaced on the Dane County Circuit Court, and current Dane County Sheriff Kalvin Barrett.
See the full list of endorsements at judgebenjones.com/endorsements
“When I served as Wisconsin Superintendent of Public Instruction, Ben Jones was an attorney at the Department of Public Instruction, and I had the chance to see his work up close,” said Carolyn Stanford Taylor. “Ben has a calm, thoughtful way of approaching complex issues, and he never lost sight of the people and communities affected by the decisions being made. As an educator, I value fairness, careful listening, and good judgment — and Ben consistently brought those qualities to his work. Those same strengths are exactly what you want in a judge, and Dane County is fortunate to have him on the bench.”
“As someone who spent my career protecting this community, I understand the importance of leadership that is steady, principled, and fair,” said David Mahoney. “Judge Ben Jones embodies those qualities. I’m proud to endorse him — I trust his judgment, respect his character, and know he’ll continue to make our justice system stronger.”
“I’m deeply honored to receive support from Carolyn and David – both valued members of the Dane County community,” said Judge Ben Jones. “Working under Carolyn’s leadership at the Department of Public Instruction was a formative experience in my career. Carolyn’s commitment to protecting our kids shaped my approach as a lawyer and continues to guide me on the bench.
“And we always knew we had a strong partner in law enforcement with David Mahoney–someone with a strong track record of keeping Dane County schools and communities safe. I’m very grateful for his and Carolyn’s support.”
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.
