Wisconsin Supreme Court candidate’s daughter wanted by state

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By Dana Ferguson
Associated Press

Madison, WI (AP) — Online court records show Wisconsin Supreme Court candidate James Daley’s daughter has been a fugitive since 2008.

The state filed a warrant for Maureen Daley’s arrest in June 2008 after she failed to appear on charges of operating while intoxicated. The warrant is still outstanding.

Daley in a statement said the issue should not impact the campaign and that he hopes people will pray for those who struggle with dependency. He did not say where his daughter is.

“I have seen the unfortunate side of dependency and the heavy burden it places on society, families and individuals as both the presiding judge on the Rock County OWI court and first-hand as a father,” according to a statement from Daley. “These challenges are a private matter and have no place within the context of a campaign.”

According to the Wisconsin Supreme Court’s rules on judicial duty, judges have a responsibility to notify authorities about judges and lawyers who violate rules of professional conduct. They do not address whether judges have a responsibility to notify authorities of fugitives’ whereabouts if they know them.

Daley also said he believes his opponent, Justice Ann Walsh Bradley, brought up the outstanding warrant to influence Tuesday’s election.

“Today we’ve learned what depths Ann Walsh Bradley and her allies will go to protect her seat on the bench,” Daley said.

Bradley spokesman Kory Kozlokski said the campaign was not involved.

“Our campaign has not responded to this story out of respect for what we consider to be a private family matter,” Kozloski said in a statement.