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Van Hollen sworn in as A.G.

By: dmc-admin//January 8, 2007//

Van Hollen sworn in as A.G.

By: dmc-admin//January 8, 2007//

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J.B. Van Hollen takes the oath of office from Chief Justice Shirley S. Abrahamson to become the first Republican attorney general in Wisconsin since 1990. Van Hollen’s wife, Lynne, watches as he is sworn in.

WLJ Photo/Jack Zemlicka

After nearly two months of anticipation, inauguration day finally arrived for the new members of the Wisconsin state government on Jan. 3 in the Capitol rotunda.

Now the focus shifts to what those in office hope to accomplish during their terms.

That is especially true for new Wisconsin Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen, who became the first Republican to hold the position since 1990. A few hundred spectators watched as Wisconsin Su-preme Court Chief Justice Shirley S. Abrahamson swore in Van Hollen, who was flanked by his wife and two children during the ceremony.

Van Hollen won a close November election over Democratic candidate Kathleen Falk, who in turn had defeated incumbent Peggy A. Lautenschlager in the primary. The 40-year-old Van Hollen received 50.2 percent of the vote and Falk, 55, garnered 49.8 percent.

Van Hollen appeared ready to attack the issues facing the state.

“My election was clearly an example of bipartisan support based upon my extensive experience in law enforcement,” Van Hollen told the crowd. “My vision for this office embodies those values, to apply the law without prejudice or political influence. To do what is right, just and fair.”

One of the major concerns confronting Van Hollen is the crime lab backlog, a problem which has become increasingly worse in recent years. While he did not directly offer a solution, Van Hollen stressed that it was a top priority and “must be reduced once and for all.”

“It’s not an issue with a quick fix,” said Democrat John T. Chisholm who will be sworn in as the new Milwaukee District Attorney on Jan. 9. “I think the attorney general and all the county district attorneys are all on the same page when it comes to public safety, but the backlog is a problem that needs attention now.”

Chisholm, who attended the swearing-in ceremony, pledged to work with other district attorneys and Van Hollen to develop a long-term solution, but also touched on the possibility of short-term options like farming out cases to private labs.

“The problem is, that is extremely costly and doesn’t solve the problem in the long run,” said Chisholm. “We also can’t just hire staff and build more sites because there are standards and policies that need to be met.”

Aside from the crime lab backlog, Van Hollen pledged to fight crime in Milwaukee and noted that violence “must not be permitted to rob the freedom of families to feel safe on the streets of their own neighborhoods.”

Chisholm agreed with developing a comprehensive plan to stem homicide and sexual assault cases in the city, but also hoped to increase deterrence of other sexual violence and predators.

“In my first 100 days in office, I will lay out my initial plans to fight crime in Wisconsin,” said Van Hollen. “And I respectfully call upon the governor and the Legislature to join me in solving the many challenges that lie before us.”

During his inaugural speech, Gov. Jim Doyle expressed his “love” for the office of attorney general, having held the position for 12 years, and said he “looked forward to working with J.B. in the years to come.”

Also sworn in were Lieutenant Governor Barbara Lawton, Secretary of State Douglas J. LaFollette and State Treasurer Dawn Marie Sass.

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