Dear Editor,

The upcoming district attorney race represents the most unique and important situation of its kind for Jefferson County voters since the Great Depression. I will back that up with facts I have observed since I came to Watertown in 1971.

The first lawyer I practiced with had been the elected district attorney of Jefferson County and had a thriving practice in Watertown. He taught me much, including these words: “Raymond, the devil could run for DA. of this County, and as long as he was a Republican he would win.” It was hard for me to believe then, but I learned more.

As a young lawyer I was handed a lot of criminal cases, sometimes cold, by my boss because he was tired of them. I did pretty well for myself, so well that the elected Sheriff, viewed as the political boss of the courthouse, offered to “make” me the next district attorney. He said he wanted me to be on his team...um, as a Republican. It didn’t smell right and I politely declined. Years later, I would help put that sheriff out of office by showing his corruption in running the jail, among other things. That is the only time a Democrat was elected sheriff here, as long as I can remember.

Some years ago, when Dave Wambach faced opposition for re-election, I publicly supported him because I felt that at the time he was better qualified than his opponent. Like Milt Lohrman and other Republicans I have publicly supported, it is about the candidate and the fit for the job.

In 2006 after a long custody trial in Dane County, the presiding judge asked me if I knew Susan Happ. He took the time to say what a good job she had done on a case in his court. It was impressive that he took the time to pay the compliment. This particular judge had been a respected defense lawyer in Madison before being elected District Attorney of Dane County. I personally tried an attempted homicide case against him many years ago when he was elected DA. It was very competent and a gentlemen with real ethics. So his praise of Susan Happ was something I strongly considered because of the source. Since then Jefferson County law enforcement officers and courthouse employees, even Mr. Wambach’s own office, became widely dissatisfied with him for reasons I need not address here. It is simply time for a change. Mr. Tempelis, as Mr. Wambach’s chosen successor does not represent positive change.

We have not had a Democratic D.A. in Jefferson County since one was elected when Franklin Delano Roosevelt in 1938. The time is right again. I cannot vouch for Susan Happ as a criminal lawyer because I have never tried a case against her. Some good sources tell me she is a very competent lawyer. What I can vouch for is Susan Happ is smart, people savvy, caring, especially of children, possesses common sense and most important of all to me, is remarkably hard-working. No one in my many years in this county has campaigned harder, on less money, but with more supporters and volunteers. Yes, voters of Jefferson County, there is an important choice to make. It could be Jefferson County politics as usual. Or, you could cast your vote for someone who obtained your confidence the old fashioned way…she earned it.

Raymond E. Krek

Jefferson Attorney