Grant Scaife Provides Conservatives with an Opportunity to Knock Off Evers-Appointed Judge
Despite being one of the most Republican counties in Wisconsin—and a key part of the historically pivotal WOW counties—Washington County’s four-seat circuit court bench is currently composed entirely of judges appointed by Tony Evers.
That dynamic could begin to shift in the April 7 election, where voters will decide between incumbent Judge Gordon Leech and conservative challenger Grant Scaife. The race has drawn heightened attention from local Republicans eager to restore ideological balance to a bench they view as increasingly shaped by Madison-based appointments rather than local voters.
Gordon Leech (Incumbent)
Judge Gordon Leech was appointed to the Washington County Circuit Court by Governor Evers in July 2025, replacing retiring Judge James Muehlbauer. His appointment added to the governor’s full hold on the county’s four-seat bench.
Leech, a Pennsylvania native, brings a lengthy legal résumé spanning more than three decades. He spent 12 years operating a private law practice in West Bend before serving as an assistant district attorney in Fond du Lac County under District Attorney Eric Toney. Toney has not endorsed in this race. Earlier in his career, he served as a Judge Advocate in the United States Marine Corps and also built experience in criminal defense work.
In describing his judicial philosophy, Leech has emphasized impartiality and a commitment to keeping politics out of the courtroom. He has cited United States Supreme Court Justice John Roberts–often a key swing vote on the US Supreme Court–as a judicial role model, pointing to Roberts’ focus on precedent and restraint. Leech has said the integrity of the court depends on following higher court rulings, avoiding legislating from the bench, and remaining free from political influence.
At the same time, his political background has drawn attention in a conservative-leaning county. Records show prior donations to liberal Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Shirley Abrahamson as well as contributions to the Democratic Party of Wisconsin. His campaign has also received support from fellow Washington County Judge Ryan Hetzel—another Evers appointee—and Dane County Judge Ben Jones, who previously worked at the Department of Public Instruction.
Leech is endorsed by the Wisconsin Justice Initiative, a group whose mission is to “advocate for progressive change in the Wisconsin justice system by educating the public about the system’s real-life impacts and partnering with other organizations to achieve more just outcomes.”
Throughout the race, he has highlighted his 35 years of legal experience as a key qualification for remaining on the bench.
Leech’s campaign website can be found here.
Grant Scaife (Challenger)
Grant Scaife, the challenger in the race, currently serves as an assistant district attorney in Washington County, where he has spent the past seven years prosecuting serious criminal cases. His experience includes handling homicides, sexual assaults, drug trafficking, domestic violence, and OWI offenses, often working closely with local law enforcement.
Scaife is running as a self-described judicial conservative, emphasizing a philosophy rooted in the Constitution, the rule of law, and a commitment to public safety. His campaign has centered on a “tough on crime” approach and the importance of consistent, impartial application of the law.
A central contrast in Scaife’s campaign has been the method by which judges reach the bench. Unlike Leech, Scaife did not seek an appointment from the governor, arguing that judges should be selected directly by voters rather than appointed by “a politician from Madison.”
That message has earned him strong backing from conservative and law enforcement circles across the region. Scaife is backed by the Washington County Republican Party and has received endorsements across the conservative political, legal, and law enforcement communities, including from former Governor Scott Walker, Washington County Executive Josh Schoemann, Washington County District Attorney Barry Braatz, Washington County Sheriff Martin Schulteis, and the Milwaukee Police Association.
He has also secured endorsements from prominent conservative members of the judiciary, including Wisconsin Supreme Court Justices Rebecca Bradley and Annette Ziegler, as well as Court of Appeals Judges Maria Lazar, Shelley Grogan, and Mark Gundrum.
Scaife’s campaign website can be found here.
