Jefferson County DA jumps into attorney general race

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MADISON, Wis. (AP) — A southeastern Wisconsin prosecutor is getting into the attorney general’s race.

Jefferson County District Attorney Susan Happ filed paperwork with the state Government Accountability Board on Wednesday announcing she has formed a campaign for the office.

Happ, a Democrat, is perhaps best known for prosecuting Edward Edwards, a former drifter accused in 2009 of killing a teenage couple in 1980. She didn’t immediately return telephone messages Thursday morning.

Happ’s run sets up a three-way Democratic primary for attorney general. Dane County District Attorney Ismael Ozanne and state Rep. Jon Richards of Milwaukee have already declared their candidacies.

Waukesha County District Attorney Brad Schimel is the only Republican in the race so far. Incumbent Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen, a Republican, has decided not to seek re-election.

An employee at the Jefferson County District Attorney’s Office said Happ “is not taking calls right now.”