VIDEO: District attorney announces bid for Branch II Judge

By Brandi Makuski

Portage Co. District Attorney Louis Molepske, Jr. has announced his campaign for Branch II judge.

Molepske will seek the seat currently held by Judge Robert Shannon in Branch II. Shannon will not be seeking re-election.

During his time as district attorney, Molepske worked to implement additional rehabilitation efforts for offenders and diverted eligible defendants away from traditional prosecution by helping create the county’s first Professional Diversion Program. He also supported a reduction in traditional prosecution of simple THC possession.

He also secured Portage County’s only bodiless homicide conviction with the 2019 prosecution of Jason Sypher, who was sentenced to life in prison for the murder of his wife, Krista Sypher. According to the Wisconsin Department of Justice, it is one of only five successful bodiless homicide convictions in Wisconsin in the past 31 years.

Molepske was the second youngest legislator in Wisconsin’s State Capitol at the time of his first election. A SPASH graduate, Molepske earned his political science degree with an emphasis in journalism at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and subsequently obtained his law degree from Marquette University in 2001.

Molepske has served as district attorney since 2013. He previously served as a State Representative for the 71st Assembly District from 2003-13. He lives in Stevens Point with his wife Raquel, and three children.

The spring election will be held on April 5. If needed, a primary will be held on Feb. 15.