MADISON — Madison Teachers Inc. (MTI), representing thousands of educators and public school professionals in the Madison area, announced its endorsement of Judge Ben Jones for a full term on the Dane County Circuit Court.
MTI becomes the first labor union to weigh into the election for Circuit Court, Branch 1. Their support adds further credibility to an already trusted coalition of respected community leaders in Dane County supporting Judge Jones that includes community leaders, legislators, judges, attorneys, and sheriffs.
See the full list of endorsements for Judge Ben Jones at https://judgebenjones.com/endorsements.
“MTI’s endorsement means so much because it comes from professionals who dedicate their lives to public service and to strengthening our community,” said Judge Ben Jones. “Educators see every day how the law shapes the lives of children and families. Throughout my career — from serving at the Department of Public Instruction to my work on the bench — I have focused on fairness, inclusion, and ensuring that every child has a real opportunity to succeed. I’m grateful for educators’ trust and proud to stand with them.”
A longtime champion for the rights of kids and inclusion in education, Judge Jones was appointed to the bench by Governor Tony Evers, 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 being held today – on February 17.
