Letter: As judge, Sawyer will be ‘just and right’

To the Editor-

I write this letter to share my endorsement of Stephen Sawyer for the position of Portage County Circuit Court Judge Branch II. I make this endorsement both as Steve’s wife and as a practicing attorney myself.

Steve has the integrity and character to be an excellent judge for the people of Portage County. I have learned over the years since we first met that he lives by some very simple yet fundamental beliefs. Steve cares deeply about people, about fairness, and about justice.

First and foremost, Steve has spent his entire life working to help people in one form or another. As a young man, he was a lifeguard. His first “save” involved pulling his mother, Marilyn, out of a river into which she had fallen and nearly drowned. Steve wasn’t quite 10 years old yet when this happened. As a navy helicopter pilot, he flew search and rescue missions in all types of weather and under all kinds of conditions with one purpose—to help people. As a lawyer for the past 20 years, he has both prosecuted and defended people charged with crimes. This has always been with the ultimate purpose of helping people.

As a practicing attorney myself, I have appeared in numerous courts across Wisconsin. There are some great people within our court system who are not only intelligent but also take the time to listen and treat all individuals with the respect and dignity that everyone deserves.

Steve is one of those special people. He takes the time to listen, to truly hear, and to understand the significant issues that people face. I have no doubt that as Portage County’s next circuit court judge he will use those deep-rooted principles and “the letter of the law” to make fair, just, and the right decisions that will keep our community safe.

Julie L. Sawyer
Stevens Point

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