News Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 2, 2008

HAPP “RESETS” FOR D.A. RACE

JEFFERSON, WI – Attorney Susan V. Happ, who announced her candidacy for Jefferson County District Attorney this past February, says she has “reset” her campaign strategy in light of the recent announcement by long-time incumbent David Wambach that he was quitting to join the Justice Department. Immediately after Wambach’s announcement, Peter Tempelis, the most junior assistant district attorney in that office, announced he would seek election as Jefferson County District Attorney in Wambach’s place on the November 4, 2008 ballot.

When asked about this recent shift in events and the effect it will have on her campaign, Happ said, “When I first announced my intention to run for Jefferson County District Attorney this past February, I fully expected to be running against a six-term incumbent. Given the fact that I am now running against an attorney who has a mere two years of legal experience, my approach has to change because the circumstances have completely changed.” Happ emphasized, however, that what will not change is the dedication, determination and energy she has already put into her campaign and will continue to pour into her campaign. “I’ve been running hard going door-to-door, speaking to civic organizations, citizens and community leaders for the last several months. My message is that I plan to make changes in the Jefferson County D.A.’s Office and I am the right person to manage that office.”

Happ has enjoyed meeting with citizens at dairy breakfasts, parades, and at the doors of their homes. “The thing that sometimes bothers people about lawyers is that they don’t listen to their clients,” Happ said. “As District Attorney, my clients will be the citizens of Jefferson County and the law enforcement officials working to keep them safe. So, listening to voters, police officers, other lawyers, and courthouse officials about how they would like to see our criminal justice system improved in Jefferson County has been really worthwhile for me. With that in mind, I will continue to meet with as many citizens, law enforcement professionals and community leaders as are interested in giving me their time and thoughts.”

Part of what separates her from her opponent, Happ said, is her ten years of experience as a litigator and the owner of her successful Jefferson law firm. “Not only do I have sole responsibility for my calendar and my court appearances, I serve as office manager, bookkeeper and receptionist. I also do my own research, briefing and appellate work. Add to that the ability to balance my absolute commitment to my seven-year-old daughter and significant involvement in civic organizations and community events, I am confident in my ability to effectively and efficiently manage that office”.

Happ said another significant difference between her and her new challenger is her lifelong attachment to the Jefferson County community. “My connections to Jefferson County go far beyond having a job here. This is where I come from, it is part of who I am, and it is where I chose to return after law school to practice law and to raise my daughter, Haley.”

Happ was born and raised in Jefferson and returned here after law school to practice with the respected firm of Monogue & Witt until she started her own practice. “My parents, Duane and Lois Quale, taught in the Jefferson school system for nearly three decades,” Happ said. “So many people had one or both of them for teachers at some point in their lives, and it is amazing to hear so many people tell me how much they enjoyed having them as teachers and to hear how respected they still are today. As District Attorney, I will strive to earn the same respect from the citizens of Jefferson County.”

Some of Happ’s civic and professional involvement includes the Jefferson Chamber of Commerce, Rotary Club of Jefferson, Jefferson County Bar Association, State Bar of Wisconsin and local scholarship committees for Jefferson High school students. Happ has also spent the past decade serving on the Board of Directors and as legal counsel for Tomorrow’s Hope, a local non-profit organization. Additionally, prior to graduating from law school, Happ nearly ten years working at St. Coletta’s of Jefferson where she worked with developmentally disabled children and adults, and ultimately served as a live-in supervisor during her first year of law school. Happ also served as a law clerk for the Jefferson County Circuit Court Judges, where she gained first-hand experience on the operation of the Jefferson County legal system.

In addition to the ten years of handling juvenile delinquency matters, felony, misdemeanor and criminal traffic charges, Happ has spent the last decade representing the best interests of children as a court-appointed guardian ad litem in CHIPS proceedings (child in need of protection and services), guardianships and child abuse injunctions, experience her opponent lacks. Happ emphasized that part of what will make her a good prosecutor is this broad range of legal experience, but she also emphasized her lifetime experience. Happ said, “experience is so much more than numbers. A key ingredient of what makes a good prosecutor is not just that person’s legal experiences, but his or her personal and lifetime experience. I have that experience.”

Happ has spent her legal career working directly with prosecutors, offenders, victims and judges in numerous counties over the past ten years, but she emphasized that it is her life experiences that give her a different perspective that cannot be taught in law school or through internships. “My life experiences have taught me much. They give me a unique ability to look at each case from a different perspective. My family was victimized by a horrible and senseless crime, and as a victim I wanted justice, and I wanted the people responsible punished. As a mother, I want to protect our children. As a lifelong member of this community, I am determined to reduce crime and keep our community safe. As a business owner and taxpayer, I want to see efficiency and results. These are all part of my life experiences, and will shape the way I approach crime in our community and will make me a zealous and effective prosecutor.”