Six Dane County Circuit Court Judges endorse Judge Ben Jones for Dane County Circuit Court, Branch 1

Judges Diane Schlipper, Nia Trammell, Jacob Frost, Ryan Nilsestuen, John Hyland and Steve Ehlke have individually endorsed Judge Ben Jones for a full term on Branch 1

MADISON—Today, as signature gathering opens for petition signatures so candidates can be placed on the spring ballot, six Dane County Circuit Court Judges have stepped forward to announce their support for Judge Ben Jones to continue serving in Branch 1. 

These endorsements come from Judge Diane Schlipper (Circuit Court Branch 3), Judge Nia Trammel (Branch 6), Judge Jacob Frost (Branch 9), Judge Ryan Nilsestuen (Branch 10), Judge John Hyland (Branch 14), and Judge Stephen Ehlke (Branch 15). 

“Working alongside Judge Ben Jones, I’ve seen firsthand how deeply he cares about the rights of people who come before our court,” said Judge Diane Schlipper. “He is thoughtful, thorough, and dedicated to delivering justice that is both firm and compassionate. Dane County benefits every day from his service.”

“Judge Jones quickly earned the respect of the entire court. He is thoughtful, principled, and exceptionally thorough in his analysis, “ said Judge Trammell. “His even-handed approach and willingness to collaborate makes him an invaluable member of our team.”

“In my time working with Judge Ben Jones, I have seen how consistently he upholds the highest standards of judicial conduct,” said Judge Frost. “He treats litigants with dignity, ensures all voices are heard, and brings a calm, reasoned presence to the bench. Dane County is fortunate to have a judge of his caliber.”

“As a colleague, Judge Jones is someone we all trust,” said Judge Ryan Nilsestuen. “His understanding of the law is matched by his empathy and sense of responsibility to the community. He strikes the right balance between accountability and compassion, ensuring justice is both fair and accessible.”

“I respect Judge Ben Jones and his desire to serve our community and our justice system,” said Judge John Hyland. “He is committed to serving with integrity, clarity and professionalism. Dane County and its courts benefit immensely from Judge Jones being on the bench.”

“Judge Jones has quickly distinguished himself as a fair, diligent, and principled judge,” said Judge Ehlke. “His commitment to understanding the facts, applying the law with care, and ensuring justice is served is evident in every case he handles. Our court is fortunate to count him among its members.”

“The support and respect of my peers on the Dane County Circuit Court is especially meaningful,” said Judge Ben Jones. “I have so much appreciation for the members of this court – including their experience and their approach to the rule of law. I look forward to continuing working alongside these great individuals to help shape a safer Dane County for all.” 

With their endorsements, Judges Schlipper, Trammell, Frost, Nilsestuen, Hyland, and Ehlke join a strong and growing slate of community leaders that have endorsed Judge Ben Jones.

In addition to these six judges, the following elected leaders have also endorsed Ben Jones for Judge:

Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Susan Crawford

• Dane County Sheriff Kalvin Barrett

• State Rep.Jenna Jacobson (AD-50)

• State Rep. Alex Joers (AD-81)

• State Rep. Andrew Hysell (AD-46)

• State Rep. Maureen McCarville (AD-45)

• State Rep. Francesca Hong (AD-76)

• State Rep. Shelia Stubbs (AD-78)

• State Rep. Lisa Subeck (AD-79), and 

• State Rep. Mike Bare (AD-80) 

The campaign will continue to roll out additional endorsements in the coming days. See the full list of endorsements at judgebenjones.com/endorsements 

A longtime champion for the rights of kids and inclusion in education, Judge Jones was appointed to the bench by Governor Tony Evers earlier this year, following a comprehensive merit-driven selection process. Prior to being appointed to the bench, Judge Jones built an impressive record as an attorney in private practice, and then was chief legal counsel at the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI), the state’s education agency. 

The general election will be April 7, 2026, with a primary election to be held February 17 if there are three or more candidates.