Two candidates are vying to represent Washburn County for the county’s lone circuit court seat. The race features incumbent Judge Angeline Winton-Roe and challenger Aaron Marcoux, the current Washburn County District Attorney—both of whom were appointed to their respective roles by Governor Tony Evers.
Winton-Roe was appointed to the bench in 2019 after serving as District Attorney, where she ran as a Democrat, and later secured a full six-year term in 2020 without opposition. Marcoux was then appointed to succeed her as District Attorney, running as an Independent, and now seeks to unseat her.
The race is unfolding in a politically conservative county—Washburn County was carried by Donald Trump with more than 63.5% of the vote in the 2024 presidential election—adding another layer of context to a contest between two candidates with differing backgrounds and professional trajectories.
Angeline Winton-Roe (Incumbent)
Angeline Winton-Roe brings a long history in Washburn County’s legal system, having served as District Attorney prior to her appointment to the circuit court in 2019. Before becoming DA, she worked as an assistant district attorney from 2009 to 2016, handling cases across both Washburn and Burnett Counties. She also has experience serving on the Lac Courte Oreilles Tribal Court.
Winton-Roe has longstanding ties to Democratic politics. Prior to 2005, she chaired the Sawyer County Democratic Party and has cited volunteer work for Democratic candidates for U.S. Senate and President. Her political activity has included donations to Democratic candidates such as Tony Evers and Mary Burke, as well as to the Democratic Party of Wisconsin. She has also publicly supported liberal candidates for the Wisconsin Supreme Court, including Lisa Neubauer and Jill Karofsky.
In her judicial application materials, Winton-Roe identified United States v. Windsor—which struck down key provisions of the Defense of Marriage Act—as one of the most significant Supreme Court decisions of the past 25 years, praising its outcome.
She describes her judicial philosophy as being grounded in “fairness, preparation, restraint, and respect for the rule of law.” Winton-Roe emphasizes that a judge’s role is to apply the law—not create it—and to approach each case with patience and careful attention to both facts and legal standards. She defines “true justice” as ensuring every individual is treated with dignity and judged impartially, without influence from outside pressures.
Winton-Roe has also highlighted her place in county history as the first woman elected to the Washburn County Circuit Court bench. Her family has deep roots in the local legal system, with her great-grandfather having previously served as both Washburn County District Attorney and a circuit court judge.
Aaron Marcoux (Challenger)
Aaron Marcoux currently serves as Washburn County District Attorney, a position he assumed after being appointed by Tony Evers in 2019 following Winton-Roe’s elevation to the bench. Notably, Marcoux had also applied for the judgeship at that time but was not selected. He is now challenging Winton-Roe directly for the position.
Marcoux is recommended by the Republican Party as the preferred option.
Marcoux’s legal career began in public defense, where he spent five years serving clients across Ashland, Bayfield, and Iron Counties. He later transitioned to prosecution, working as an assistant district attorney in Sawyer County before his appointment as Washburn County DA. He has cited his final year as a public defender—where he primarily handled serious Chapter 980 cases involving violent sexual offenses—as a turning point, noting that he felt he could no longer effect positive change in that role and instead wanted to advocate for victims.
His decision to run as an Independent stems from prior political experiences. Marcoux previously ran for District Attorney in Barron County as a Democrat but has said that experience “left a bad taste” after internal party dynamics in that race caused a falling out. He would go on to lose the primary as a result. He has since emphasized that district attorneys—and by extension judges—serve all members of the community, regardless of political affiliation. While running as an Independent, he has received support from Republican circles and is recommended by GOP organizations. His past contributions include donations to Tony Evers, as well as local Republican parties.
Marcoux’s personal background has played a significant role in shaping his approach to the justice system. He has spoken about witnessing domestic violence as a child and being adopted at age 11, experiences that inform his focus on victims and rehabilitation.
In discussing judicial philosophy, Marcoux emphasizes applying the law as written and avoiding judicial activism. He defines “true justice” as the “impartial and proportional application of fairness,” with a strong emphasis on restoration, reconciliation, and addressing the root causes of criminal behavior. He has also been involved in treatment courts and believes the judiciary should play an active role in broader community solutions.
Marcoux identified Citizens United v. FEC as one of the most consequential Supreme Court decisions in recent history, pointing specifically to its role in increasing political spending in judicial races. He has expressed concern about how rising spending levels—such as those seen in Wisconsin’s 2025 Supreme Court race—could impact the perceived impartiality of the courts.
The election is set for Tuesday, April 7th. The winner of this contest will serve a six-year term, ending in 2032.
