Dear editor,

The April 3 judicial election is a crossroads for Clark County justice and upholding the conservative values of Clark County. As Clark County Sheriff, I am asking the voters of Clark County to vote for Attorney Roberta Heckes, Clark County Circuit Court, and Judge Michael Screnock, Wisconsin Supreme Court on April 3.

I have worked in Clark County law enforcement for 39 years, serving as its sheriff for past seven years. I am confident that both of these judicial candidates will uphold our conservative values and protect the Constitution, including your Second Amendment firearm freedom.

Roberta Heckes, a particularly qualified candidate, will bring needed change to our circuit court.

I know she strongly supports the conservative values that Clark County voters depend on. She stands for the Constitution, including the preservation of Second Amendment gun rights, as will Michael Screnock. Roberta understands the importance of the separation of powers and not legislating from the bench – skills that come from experience. Roberta consistently demonstrates her ability to apply the law to the facts and she does not let personal or political beliefs compromise her legal thinking. The people of Clark County are fortunate Roberta brought her extensive legal experience to Clark County. She is an asset to the people of the County, both in court and in her volunteer work.

I have seen her professionalism, expertise, values, and strong work ethic benefit clients in Clark County and throughout Wisconsin. Roberta is not swayed by outside influences, including “insiders”. Roberta stands her ground, even when hard decisions are not popular to outside observers. T hose are qualities that only a seasoned attorney with a real-world background can bring to our court system.

We have too many jail inmates with unaddressed mental health issues linked to criminal behavior. It costs $30,000 plus per year (taxpayer dollars) for each inmate. Studies confirm that treatment court programs can return $2-$27 for each $1 a county invests. It’s time for a judge who has the intelligence, courage, and stamina to break the incarceration cycle, through appropriate alternative justice. I have no doubt that Roberta Heckes will bring needed changes to make the court system work for the people.

Our court system needs an experienced, proven leader and innovator – Roberta Heckes. The April 3 election is a crossroads for the future. Roberta is the right choice, the only choice, to uphold our conservative values, properly interpret the Constitution, and protect our Second Amendment gun rights. She will bring positive change through treatment court and other alternatives yet hold serious/repeat offenders accountable.

Attorney Roberta Heckes and Judge Michael Screnock have my full endorsement and support for Clark County Judge and Wisconsin Supreme Court Judge. Please join me and vote on April 3 for these individuals.  Your vote will make a difference to uphold Clark County’s conservative values and bring better justice, now and in the future.

Gregory E. Herrick
Clark County Sheriff
Willard, WI

Dear editor,

I have known Roberta Heckes for 15 years and am fortunate enough to have her as my mentor – more on that in a bit. She is a candidate for Clark County Judge in the upcoming April 3 election. Without a doubt she is the most experienced of the two individuals running for this position. With over 18 years as an attorney, she has handled many, many complex and high-profile cases.

I am witness to her passion for the law and standing up for our rights, the constitution, and the law. There is no substitute for experience and wisdom in a judge. Roberta is the right choice.

Let me come back to Roberta being a mentor. When I started my career as a young attorney, Roberta took the time to share her knowledge with me and patiently guided me to the answer. I must admit, some of my questions were quite basic back in my early years. Roberta was never rude or disrespectful to me.

She is a leader and a person I respect. She has earned respect from many of her colleagues, including many sitting judges around the state.

When Clark County votes for judge on April 3, you want a leader with experience and wisdom on the bench. That candidate is Roberta Heckes.

Chadwick Kaehne
Menasha, WI

Dear editor,

Coming up April 3, we the residents of Clark County, have the opportunity to bring a “real”, positive change by voting Roberta Heckes as our next Circuit Court Judge.

Since bringing her passion for the people of Clark County and their constitutional rights to Clark County over five years ago, she has been making a positive impact on many Clark County residents, regardless of their political or social status; not only as a highly ethical and honest attorney, but also as a truly compassionate and empathetic public servant.

During this time, she has been actively involved in many community organizations, such as volunteering with the Wisconsin Farm Mediation and Arbitration Program and the Neillsville Food for American Program. She is also a supporter of the Clark County Food Pantry, the Neillsville FFA (of which she is an alumni member), and a member of the Tri-Parish Social Concerns Committee. She is the co-director for the Clark County Post-Incarceration Support Program, and developed an Implements of Husbandry.  On top of all that, she still finds time to work as a substitute teacher when given the opportunity.

Attorney Heckes has also brought to Clark County, her broad diversity of knowledge, education, and real life experience, which has given her the non-bias and open-mindedness we need here in our judicial system.  Her 30 years’ experience as an over-the-road truck driver, does not mean she is “only for” the truck drivers; nor does her experience as a farmer with a bachelor’s degree in Agricultural/Dairy Science mean that she is “only for” the farmers.  In fact, what it does mean is that she has had the opportunity to meet and interact with many people of diverse cultural and educational backgrounds. It has given her real experience in long, hard-working hours, and, furthermore, it has given her a unique perspective and understanding of how the constitution and the laws apply and affect our local trucking and agricultural industry.

Likewise, her experience as a substitute teacher does not mean she is “only for” teachers. Instead, it has given her a unique perspective and understanding of the daily demands and challenges put on our educators, and has also given her the opportunity to interact with our local youth and gain insight of the challenges they are struggling with. The combination of all of this “real world” experience is what makes her for all of Clark County.

Last, but not least, her 18 years as a private practice attorney has given her the opportunity to handle a diversity of cases in multiple court rooms across the state. She has not been limited to just Clark County. She has experience in multiple Wisconsin Circuit Court rooms, along with experience in the Wisconsin Court of Appeals, as well as the United States Federal Court.

Her well-rounded legal and professional background, which far exceeds her campaign opponent’s, has given her the opportunity to zealously represent clients in criminal, civil, mental health, family, business, and even appeal cases. Her commitment to public service also expands to various states bar boards and committees. She was selected by her peers to receive the distinguished Lederer Award for the education and support of solo and small firm attorneys. She has state-wide, diversified,  support from many peers of different political parties, which only further solidifies her bi-partisan, fair, and equal qualifications.

Since bringing her practice to Clark County and making this her home, she has gained an enormous amount of support from our local county residents. We recognize that her only motive here is to become the firm, fair, and honest judge we all want and deserve. I ask that the voters join the rest of us supporters and vote for her on April 3.

Tawnya Featherston
Granton, WI