2nd lawyer joins judicial race after incumbent decides not to seek re-election

Soon after word got around that veteran Milwaukee judge Jeffrey Conen would not seek re-election, a second criminal defense attorney announced she would run for the open seat in the Spring 2021 election.

Susan Roth will face Travis Schwantes, a senior assistant Public Defender who had earlier filed to challenge Conen.

Roth, 38, is a partner at Kohn Smith Roth, where she has practiced criminal defense exclusively since joining the firm after graduation from Marquette Law School in 2007.

The private nature of Roth's practice apparently was a factor in earning her the endorsement of Conen, who wrote on Facebook, "Having come from private practice myself, I know how important it is to have a grasp of real world issues when sitting on the bench." 

After Schwantes, 49, had filed to run against Conen, the judge said on Facebook that being challenged for re-election was not part of his decision to resign from the bench, that he had been planning to leave for a year and  will start at the law firm Hansen Reynolds LLC in November.

Roth said she has been thinking of trying to become a judge for about five years and has applied for appointment by Gov. Tony Evers to prior openings in Milwaukee.

Conen's vacating Branch 30, she said, "seemed like the right time, and the right fit," for her to run for office.

Schwantes' campaign issued a statement on Roth's entry to the race.

“Travis challenged a longtime incumbent because it’s time to turn the page and truly address the community’s demand for justice. That incumbent apparently wasn’t up for the race, but now is trying to handpick his successor," read the statement from campaign spokeswoman Alanna Conley.

"It’ll be up to the people what direction Branch 30 goes in — a fresh perspective or more of the same.”

Contact Bruce Vielmetti at (414) 224-2187 or bvielmetti@jrn.com. Follow him on Twitter at @ProofHearsay.