Wood County voters will make a choice between two candidates for the Branch 3 circuit court judge position when they go to the polls April 7.
Emily Nolan-Plutchak was appointed Wood County Branch 3 circuit court judge in July following the resignation of former Judge Todd Wolf. Nolan-Plutchak is being challenged by Monroe County Assistant District Attorney Elizabeth Gebert. Gebert is a former Langlade County district attorney who left her position to move back to the Wisconsin Rapids area. She has also worked as assistant district attorney in Marathon, Portage and Wood counties.
Whoever wins the election will serve a six-year term as Wood County Branch 3 judge.
To learn more about registering to vote and to find your polling place, visit My Vote Wisconsin.
USA TODAY NETWORK-Central Wisconsin asked each of the candidates to address important issues in the justice system and why they are running for the position.
Elizabeth Gebert
Residence: Village of Biron
Age: 45 Current position: Assistant district attorney Education: American University – bachelor’s degree, 2003; Harvard University – master of divinity, 2006; University of Wisconsin Law School, 2009
Relevant experience: 16+ years of experience as a prosecutor – Wood County DA’s office, assistant district attorney, 2009-2014; Portage County DA’s office, assistant district attorney, 2014-2016; Langlade County, elected district attorney, 2016-2022; Marathon County DA’s office, assistant district attorney, 2022-2025; Monroe County DA’s office, assistant district attorney, 2025-present
Campaign website or Facebook account: www.elizabethforjudge2026.com or Elizabeth Gebert for Judge on Facebook
Emily Nolan-Plutchak
Residence: Wisconsin Rapids Age: 47 Current position: Branch 3 circuit court judge Education: Bachelor of Arts from UW-Madison, Juris Doctor from Marquette Law School Relevant experience: As a current Wood County judge, I am the only candidate with judicial experience. In that role I have conducted hearings, presided over jury trials, ruled on motions and issued decisions. These matters have covered all areas of the law including criminal matters, personal injury cases, probate, receiverships, divorces/family matters and small claims cases. My 18 years as a public defender also provided me with experience in a broad spectrum of legal matters. There I represented indigent adult and juvenile individuals in both civil and criminal matters. On the criminal side, I tried numerous felony and misdemeanor cases, which gave me significant courtroom experience and sharpened my knowledge and application of the rules of evidence. I also litigated civil matters including guardianships, termination of parental rights cases and mental health commitments. In addition, I am also familiar with administrative hearings, having represented individuals for probation revocations. During my career as a public defender I handled over 2,500 cases. Finally, I have management experience having served as the attorney manager of the Wisconsin Rapids Public Defender’s office. There I supervised five attorneys, two support staff and one investigator. Campaign website or Facebook account: www.judgenolanplutchak.com or Judge Emily Nolan-Plutchak on Facebook.
Why are you running for the Branch 3 Wood County Circuit Court judge position?
Gebert: Wood County has been my home for over 20 years, when my parents moved to Wisconsin Rapids. My mother’s family has been here for generations. After law school, I began my practice here in 2009 and bought my first house in Wisconsin Rapids in 2010. During my time as elected DA of Langlade County, I stayed alone at our cabin there during the week. On weekends, I returned to Biron to be with my husband (Tim) and children. In my career, I was recruited to work in various offices and experienced dozens of judges. I look forward to bringing that diverse experience to my community.
I am running to restore balance to the bench in Wood County, as the only prosecutor running. The sitting judges are all former defense attorneys. I bring a unique perspective and strong voice to ensure the community is protected and every person’s rights are respected. As a prosecutor, I use my judgment every day to make important decisions including charges to file, trial strategy and sentence recommendations. I have tried more than 30 jury trials as the sole/lead prosecutor and litigated hundreds of pretrial motions. I bring superior experience, integrity and diligence to the bench.
Nolan-Plutchak: I am honored to be the first woman in the history of Wood County to serve as a circuit court judge. My desire to continue serving as your judge stems from my commitment to our community. During the 18 years I have resided here, I have developed deep personal and professional connections to Wood County and its citizens. This is where I have chosen to work, live and raise my twin boys. I am involved in community, parent, school and sports booster clubs. I even started a “Preemie Mom Group,” which is dedicated to supporting moms who have had babies in the NICU and share the unique experience of raising preemies. On a professional level, I have been actively engaged in the Wood County legal community, fostering and embracing opportunities to create partnerships among law enforcement, prosecutors, defense attorneys, nonprofits and schools. Wood County and its people have given much to me and my family, and serving as their judge is my way of giving something back to them. Knowing that I can make a difference in the lives of the people in our community inspires me to serve.
What makes you the better candidate?
Gebert: First and foremost, I am the better candidate because of my deep roots in Wood County. Surrounded in Wood County by my parents, cousins, in-laws and long-time friends, I know our community values align with my own. I know the public wants the judges to follow the law, to maintain a professional and courteous courtroom and to keep the public safe from dangerous individuals. I have been dedicated to these principles throughout my career and will carry them with me to the bench.
I am also more qualified with superior litigation experience, having personally tried more than 30 jury trials and dozens of court trials, and litigated hundreds of contested pretrial motions. I have litigated and tried both criminal cases, including first-degree intentional homicide and first-degree sexual assault of a child, and civil cases, including child in need of protection and services and termination of parental rights. During trial and contested hearings, unique issues arise that require dynamic thinking and I will draw on my stronger litigation background to rule in a fair, efficient and legally sound manner. This experience has taken years to acquire and cannot be taught or gained in a few months.
Nolan-Plutchak: First and foremost, my experience as explained above. In addition, during my time as your judge, I have earned a reputation as someone who works hard, is conscientious about doing her job well and is willing to go above and beyond my normal duties to make our justice system better. For example, I have undertaken the task of improving our drug court.Aside from that, what sets me apart is my commitment to the people of Wood County. Having lived and worked here the past 18 years, I have a good understanding of the people, their beliefs and values. This familiarity helps me better perform my job as a judge. In contrast, my opponent has lived and/or worked in five different counties over the past 16 years.Finally, retaining me will not create hardships for our judicial system. Voters should be aware my opponent is married to another judge in Wood County. If she were elected, it would create administrative and legal issues or conflicts that could undermine the efficiency and fairness of our judicial system and create a burden for the other two judges. Should one family control the legal process in our county?
What do you believe is the most pressing issue facing the Wood County justice system and how would you address it, if elected?
Gebert: The attorney shortage, though not exclusive to Wood County, is the most pressing issue. Private attorneys, assistant district attorneys and public defenders are essential to the system’s proper, efficient functioning. Both the public defender and DA’s office chronically lose attorneys, who are often recruited by state-level offices or the private sector for a pay increase. Private firms try to recruit attorneys, but that often includes the challenge of attracting attorneys who are not from central Wisconsin.
As judge, I would work to make Wood County a collegial, convenient and professional place to practice. I would maintain a pleasant and courteous courtroom, encouraging opposing attorneys to be collegial in and outside of the courtroom, fostering a stronger professional legal community in Wood County. When practicable, I would allow for attorneys to appear by video for non-evidentiary hearings. I would also continue my work with the State Bar and law schools to encourage law students to see the truly rewarding work that can be accomplished in smaller jurisdictions and see, as I do, that Wood County is a wonderful place to work.
Nolan-Plutchak: I believe the most pressing issue facing the Wood County justice system is the lack of criminal defense attorneys. Most criminal defendants are indigent and cannot afford private attorneys. This leaves only the State Public Defender’s office to represent them. Unfortunately, there are not enough public defenders to meet the demand. When that occurs, they ask private attorneys to take those cases at state paid hourly rates, which are significantly discounted from their normal rates. Few attorneys will take cases at those rates. Sometimes the judge will try to find an attorney to take a case. While they can offer a higher rate, the county is responsible for those fees. And when even the judge cannot get an attorney, the system breaks down.Without attorneys, some defendants attempt to defend themselves. Most judges are reluctant to approve that, especially in felony cases. With no defense attorneys available, cases are placed on hold, defendants who cannot post bail sit in jail indefinitely, and victims and their families are further traumatized because justice delayed is justice denied. I believe the legislature needs to authorize more resources to ensure the system works, defendants’/victims’ rights are protected and justice is available to everyone.
Contact Karen Madden kmadden@usatodayco.com. Follow her on Twitter @KMadden715, Instagram @kmadden715 or Facebook at www.facebook.com/karen.madden.33.
This article originally appeared on Wisconsin Rapids Daily Tribune: Meet the 2 candidates for Wood County Branch 3 judge in April election
Reporting by Karen Madden, Wisconsin Rapids Daily Tribune / Wisconsin Rapids Daily Tribune
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