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HomeBreakingWarring Law Enforcement Endorsements in Washington County DA's Race

Warring Law Enforcement Endorsements in Washington County DA’s Race

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Candidates Barry Braatz and Mandy Schepper have each announced major law enforcement endorsements as the two prosecutors compete to become Washington County DA.

Braatz announced the endorsement of Washington County Sheriff Martin Schulteis. Schepper announced that she was endorsed by The Fraternal Order of Police Kettle Moraine Lodge #10. Both are running as Republicans in the August primary.

“My involvement in this race came with much consideration and numerous conversations with law enforcement officials throughout our community and surrounding communities, after which my decision became clear – Barry Braatz is the proven prosecutor Washington County deserves leading the District Attorney’s Office,” said Schulteis.

Washington county da

“The safety and protection of all Washington County families has been, and continues to be, my number one priority. I know that Barry shares that same priority and he will be a strong partner with law enforcement in holding criminals accountable and keeping our communities safe. That is why he has my complete endorsement to be our next Washington County District Attorney,” Schulteis concluded.

Barry braatz
Barry braatz

“Sheriff Schulteis joins Washington County Executive Josh Schoemann, County Treasurer Scott Henke, State Senators Duey Stroebel, Dan Knodl, and Dan Feyen, State Assemblymen Rick Gundrum, Rob Brooks, Paul Melotik, and Ty Bodden, as well as numerous other Washington County community leaders, in endorsing Braatz. For more information, including a full list of endorsements, visit barrybraatz.com,” Braatz said.

On the same day, Schepper announced the endorsement from the police lodge.

Mandy schepper
Mandy schepper

“I am pleased to announce and accept the endorsement of the Kettle Moraine Lodge 10 of the Fraternal Order of Police. Their words of support are humbling and sincerely appreciated. As the only candidate in the race for Washington County District Attorney with ties to Washington County, I have spent my career fighting for justice and accountability. The strong partnerships I have formed with State and Local Law Enforcement have and will continue to ensure the public safety within Washington County,” she wrote.

Braatz, deputy Fond du Lac County DA under Republican Eric Toney, worked as a student practitioner in the Washington County DA’s office in 2016. He was raised nearby on a dairy farm and attended Campbellsport High School. He was also a prosecutor in the Racine and Waushara County District Attorney’s Offices.

Schepper, an assistant DA in Washington County for 17 years, was named deputy DA by outgoing DA Mark Bensen in April. He endorsed her candidacy.

The Lodge, headquartered in Washington County, represents 213 officers, Lodge officials wrote in a press release.

“The endorsement of Mandy Schepper is based on our direct working knowledge of her talents as a prosecutor in Washington County over the course of the past 17 years,” the Lodge wrote. Regardless of their rank or tenure nearly every member of Lodge 10 has had experience working side by side with Mandy over the years and have been witness to her passion, commitment, enthusiasm and dedication to her profession and the citizens she serves,” they wrote.

They noted that her husband is a law enforcement officer in a neighboring community.

Jessica McBridehttps://www.wisconsinrightnow.com
Jessica's opinions on this website and all WRN and personal social media pages, including Facebook and X, represent her own opinions and not those of the institution where she works. Jessica McBride, a Wisconsin Right Now contributor, is a national award-winning journalist and journalism educator with more than 25 years in journalism. Jessica McBride’s journalism career started at the Waukesha Freeman newspaper in 1993, covering City Hall. She was an investigative, crime, and general assignment reporter for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel for a decade. Since 2004, she has taught journalism at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Her work has appeared in many news outlets, including Heavy.com (where she is a contributor reaching millions of readers per month), Patch.com, WTMJ, WISN, WUWM, Wispolitics.com, OnMilwaukee.com, Milwaukee Magazine, Nightline, El Conquistador Latino Newspaper, Japanese and German television, Channel 58, Reader’s Digest, Twist (magazine), Wisconsin Public Radio, BBC, Wisconsin Policy Research Institute, and others. 

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