Conservative Waukesha County Circuit Court candidate Paul Dedinsky has announced what his campaign believes is a record-breaking early fundraising total for a Wisconsin circuit court candidate at this stage of an election cycle, signaling strong support more than nine months before voters head to the polls.
According to campaign finance figures filed through June 30, Dedinsky raised more than $87,900 in just over two months since announcing his candidacy. The campaign says the total is believed to be the strongest early fundraising performance by any Wisconsin circuit court candidate at this point in a judicial race.
Nearly all of the contributions came from individual donors rather than political organizations, a point the campaign highlighted as evidence of broad grassroots support throughout Waukesha County.
Dedinsky, who announced his campaign following the retirement of longtime Waukesha County Circuit Court Judge Ralph M. Ramirez, said the early fundraising reflects voters’ desire for a judge focused on public safety and the rule of law.
“This campaign is and will always be about the incredible community where Lisa and I chose to build our lives and raise our family,” Dedinsky said. “As a judge, I will prioritize keeping our community safe while holding accountable those who choose to cause harm. Throughout this campaign, I’ve heard the same message from voters: they want a judge they can trust; someone who will apply the law fairly, protect victims, and keep politics out of the courtroom.”
Dedinsky also pointed to the increasing role of outside spending in Wisconsin judicial elections, arguing that local races should be decided by the communities they serve rather than national political interests.
The campaign has assembled a lengthy list of endorsements from prominent Wisconsin conservatives and members of the legal community. Those backing Dedinsky include former Gov. Scott Walker, Wisconsin Supreme Court Justices Rebecca Bradley and Annette Ziegler, former Justice Dan Kelly, Court of Appeals Judges Mark Gundrum, Shelley Grogan and Maria Lazar, Judge-elect Anthony LoCoco, as well as an overwhelming majority of the Waukesha County Circuit Court bench. Numerous state legislators and local elected officials have also endorsed his campaign.
The Branch 3 race is one of the first judicial contests to begin taking shape ahead of the April 6, 2027, election. Earlier this month, Democratic Gov. Tony Evers appointed criminal defense attorney Jeremy Guza to fill the Branch 3 vacancy created by Ramirez’s retirement.
The election takes place April 6, 2027.
