Mar. 21, 2021 9:10p; Correcting Cunningham's first name at 10:55p
(WGTD)---If Angela Cunningham and Larisa Benitez-Morgan win their respective Kenosha County judicial races next month, they’d become the first person or persons of color to serve as an elected judge or judges in either Kenosha, Racine or Walworth counties.
The 41-year-old Cunningham, a defense attorney who’s Black, is going up against 51-year-old Angelina Gabriele, a long-time Kenosha County prosecutor. They’re seeking to replace the retiring Judge Mary Wagner.
In another race, the 58-year-old Benitez-Morgan, who’s Hispanic, is running against 39-year-old Gerad Dougvillo. Benitez-Morgan was appointed to the bench over a year ago by Gov. Evers, filling a vacancy created by the retirement of Judge David Bastinelli. Now she’s seeking election to a full term.
Up until the Benitez-Morgan appointment, it's believed there have been no Hispanic or Black judges that have sat in the 2nd Judicial District, which is made up of the three counties in the southeastern corner of the state.
In a recent WGTD candidates’ forum, Dougvillo emphasized his Kenosha roots. "Serving from the bench in Kenosha has been the ultimate professional goal of mine for some time now," he said. "Public service has always been something that's important to me."
While Dougvillo has lived in Kenosha most of his life, the St. Joseph High School grad’s work experiences have occurred primarily just beyond the county’s borders. He currently serves as a Walworth County Court Commissioner. Before that, he was a prosecutor in Racine County for nearly eight years.
Benitez-Morgan says she’s lived in Kenosha for about 20 years. Her legal experience includes private practice and work as a public defender. "I've worked in Kenosha advocating for people," she said. "And I'd like to continue that role but from the perspective of a judge."
The full Community Matters forum in which the pair discussed the issues is archived here. A pre-primary forum that included Gabriele and Cunningham, and a third candidate who eventually was knocked out of the race, is here.
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