Watts for Judge - Milwaukee County, Branch 15

NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS

April 8, 2009
Watts Defeats Gabler
From the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
In a closely watched Milwaukee County judicial race, J.D. Watts on Tuesday... defeated Daniel Gabler, a prosecutor whose aggressive campaign ads and fliers cost him early supporters and prompted a formal complaint after the primary... In addition to his general law practice, Watts, 57, has been the municipal judge in Fox Point since 2007... He also is chairman of the board of George Watts & Son, the downtown china shop started by his grandfather.

April 2, 2009
Support J.D. Watts for Circuit Court Judge Branch
From the Shepherd Express
Watts, currently an attorney in private practice and a part-time municipal court judge in Fox Point, has a better understanding of the myriad challenges facing those who would appear in his courtroom. Watts has worked in the Milwaukee County District Attorney’s Office and has business experience, and he’s shown special attention to the needs of families and children who require legal services.

April 2, 2009
Taking Liberties: A Criminal Walks Free
From the Shepherd Express
Assistant District Attorney Daniel Gabler is running a throw-back, racially tinged campaign for Milwaukee Circuit judge, attacking judges and defense attorneys for allowing dark, shadowy criminals to walk free... Several judges and lawyers have withdrawn endorsements of Gabler because of his outdated scare campaign.

Mar. 26, 2009
Watts for Judge
From the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
J.D. Watts is the better candidate in the April 7 election to fill a judgeship on Branch 15 of the Milwaukee County Circuit Court. It's not a close call. This has to do with the respective résumés but also on how one of the candidates, Daniel Gabler, has conducted his campaign. A judge's robes denote good judgment. We've not seen it in Gabler's campaign.

Mar. 25, 2009
Judge Watts Endorsed By Milwaukee Deputy Sheriffs' Association

Mar. 23, 2009
Judge Watts Endorsed By Milwaukee Professional Fire Fighters Association

Mar. 22, 2009
Gabler, Watts trade shots in Milwaukee County circuit judge race
From the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Watts said he is proud to match his record against Gabler's. "I was second chair in a 1979 case involving the shooting of an on-duty police officer, even though I was new to the office," Watts said. "With less than two years on the job, I handled a first-degree murder case on my own."

Mar. 22, 2009
Playing Defense
From the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Judicial candidate Daniel Gabler seems to have a problem with criminal defense lawyers, and he hopes you do, too. But here's something you won't find on Gabler's campaign material: He's also represented a couple of people accused of criminal conduct in the past.

Mar. 20, 2009
Judge Watts Endorsed By Milwaukee Police Association

Mar. 11, 2009
Why am I Endorsing J.D. Watts?
From New Berlin Now
Why am I endorsing JD Watts? Because only one candidate in the judicial election for Branch 15 has demonstrated himself to be a capable, intelligent, and vigorous professional in the court system. That man is JD Watts, and he will be an excellent addition to the bench.

Mar. 11, 2009
Jerk of the Week: Circuit Court Judge Candidate Daniel Gabler
From Express Milwaukee
"Milwaukee County Assistant District Attorney Daniel Gabler, hoping to replace Michael Brennan on the bench, won this dubious award because of his sleazy campaign tactics of lies and distortions. If this is how he campaigns, then God help Milwaukee County if he gets on the bench."
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Mar. 9, 2009
Scaring up votes won't serve justice
From the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
"The ad from Daniel Gabler, a Milwaukee assistant district attorney, featured a shadowy figure under the headline: 'Tired of criminals walking free?'... The idea that judicial candidates support criminal behavior is both puzzling and ridiculous. Why would anyone become a judge if their intent was to let criminals get away scot-free? That's radio talk show gibberish designed to create a backlash. Gabler plays into that mentality with his flier in a troubling way that invites speculation about what kind of judge he would be."
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Mar. 9, 2009
Dague to ask attorney general to charge Gabler
From the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
"The losing candidate in a judicial primary election says he will ask Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen to consider criminal charges against an opponent he contends lied about him in a campaign flier last month. Ronald Dague finished a distant third to Daniel Gabler and J.D. Watts in the race for Milwaukee County circuit judge. Dague, a prosecutor his entire legal career, filed a complaint over Gabler's flier claim that Dague defends criminals."
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Mar. 9, 2009
Candidate unhappy with decision on his complaint
From the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
"Ronald Dague is not happy with a special prosecutor's decision not to issue charges against Daniel Gabler, one of Dague's opponents in the primary race for branch 15 of the Milwaukee County Circuit Court. Dague, who has only worked as a prosecutor, accused Gabler of lying when he said Dague "defended criminals" in a flier sent out just days before the primary. Lying to influence an election is a misdemeanor, punishable by up to six months in jail and a $1,000 fine."
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Mar. 8, 2009
Milwaukee judicial candidate's campaign flier draws ethics review
From the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
"Several judges and lawyers have withdrawn their endorsements of a Milwaukee judicial candidate whose tough-on-crime rhetoric also prompted an ethics complaint reviewed by a prosecutor for possible criminal charges. Daniel Gabler, an assistant district attorney, apologized to some of his former backers in an e-mail last week."
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Mar. 2, 2009
Gabler's absence let a charge be dropped
From the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
"Gabler is running for an open seat against Fox Point Municipal Judge J.D. Watts in April. [A radio ad] and his flier blasting his opponents have many judges and defense attorneys shifting their support to Watts."
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Mar. 2, 2009
Milwaukee Shouldn’t Gamble on Gabler
From Eye on Wisconsin
"[W]ith his attack on Watts, Gabler [is] apparently suggesting that people accused of crimes don’t deserve a lawyer and if you are their attorney, you must love both criminals and crime."
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Feb. 1, 2009
Judge candidates promise to be strict, fair
From the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
"J.D. Watts has been a lawyer for 31 years. He has been Fox Point's municipal judge since 2007. He previously was an assistant district attorney handling felony and other cases. In private practice, he has handled matters in Children's Court and divorces, among other matters."
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Nov. 24, 2008:
Press Release - Watts Announces Candidacy for Milwaukee County Circuit Judge, Branch 15

Questions?
Contact Zak Williams, 414-303-0236, or e-mail info@wattsforjudge.com.

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