Gregory Huber

The Honorable
Greg Huber
Chief Judge of the 9th District of Wisconsin Circuit Courts
In office
August 1, 2016 – July 31, 2022
Preceded byNeal A. Nielsen
Succeeded byAnn Knox-Bauer
Wisconsin Circuit Court Judge for the Marathon Circuit, Branch 2
In office
June 1, 2004 – July 31, 2022
Appointed byJim Doyle
Preceded byRaymond F. Thums
Succeeded byRick Cveykus
Member of the Wisconsin State Assembly
from the 85th district
In office
January 3, 1989 – May 31, 2004
Preceded byJohn H. Robinson
Succeeded byDonna J. Seidel
Personal details
Born (1956-01-25) January 25, 1956 (age 68)
Wausau, Wisconsin
Political partyDemocratic
Spousenone
Residence(s)Wausau, Wisconsin
Alma materUniversity of Wisconsin–Madison (B.A., J.D.)

Gregory B. Huber (born January 25, 1956) is a retired American lawyer, politician, and judge. He served 18 years as a Wisconsin circuit court judge in Marathon County and was chief judge of the 9th District of Wisconsin Circuit Courts from 2016 through 2022. Previously, he represented northern Marathon County as a Democratic member of the Wisconsin State Assembly.

Biography

Born in Wausau, Wisconsin, Huber graduated from Watertown High School, in Watertown, Wisconsin. He received his bachelors and law degrees from the University of Wisconsin–Madison in 1978 and 1981, respectively.[1] In his early legal career, Huber worked as an assistant district attorney in Marathon County, and a law clerk for the Wisconsin Circuit Court in Outagamie County.[1]: 77 

In 1988, after incumbent state representative John H. Robinson resigned his seat to take office as Mayor of Wausau, Huber announced his candidacy to replace him. Huber narrowly won a three-way race in the Democratic primary, finishing 168 votes ahead of county planner Larry Saeger. He went on to another close victory in the November general election, which, after a recount, produced a final margin of 203 votes for Huber over Republican David M. Torkko.[2]

After his narrow 1988 victory, Huber was re-elected seven times, serving until 2004. He served for several sessions on the influential Joint Finance Committee and the Joint Legislative Council. During the Democratic majorities in the 1991 and 1993 sessions, he was chairman of the committees of Reapportionment (1991), Tax Delinquent Contaminated Land (1991), and Elections, Constitutional Law and Corrections (1993).[1]: 77 

Huber's path to the Circuit Court judgeship started with the July 2003 announcement by incumbent judge Raymond F. Thums that he would retire by the end of the year. A special election was scheduled for April 2004 with a primary in February. Huber topped the primary with nearly 50% of the vote, and went on to win election over lawyer and counselor Coleen Kennedy. After his election, he was appointed to begin his term early, in June 2004, since the seat was already vacant.[3] He was re-elected in 2010 and 2016 without opposition.

In 2016, the Wisconsin Supreme Court appointed him to be Chief Judge of the 9th District of Wisconsin Circuit Courts, replacing Judge Neal Nielsen of Vilas County.[4] He was subsequently re-appointed in 2018 and 2020.[5] He was not eligible for another term as Chief Judge and retired at the end of his term in 2022.

Electoral history

Wisconsin Assembly (1988–2002)

Wisconsin Assembly, 85th District Election, 1988[2]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Primary, September 13, 1988
Democratic Gregory B. Huber 2,468 42.41%
Democratic Larry Saeger 2,300 39.52%
Democratic Francis X. Vogel 1,052 18.08%
Plurality 168 2.89%
Total votes 5,820 100.0%
General Election, November 8, 1988
Democratic Gregory B. Huber 10,595 50.48% −12.90%
Republican David M. Torkko 10,392 49.52%
Plurality 203 0.97% -25.80%
Total votes 20,987 100.0% +22.40%
Democratic hold

Wisconsin Circuit Court (2004–present)

Wisconsin Circuit Court, Marathon Circuit, Branch 2 Election, 2004
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Nonpartisan Primary, February 17, 2004[6]
Nonpartisan Gregory B. Huber 10,008 49.51%
Nonpartisan Coleen Kennedy 6,825 33.77%
Nonpartisan Philip J. Freeburg 3,367 16.66%
Scattering 13 0.06%
Total votes 20,213 100.0%
General Election, April 6, 2004[7]
Nonpartisan Gregory B. Huber 10,791 54.68%
Nonpartisan Coleen Kennedy 8,941 45.31%
Scattering 3 0.02%
Plurality 1,850 9.38%
Total votes 19,735 100.0% +66.33%

References

  1. ^ a b c Barish, Lawrence S., ed. (2003). "Biographies". State of Wisconsin 2003-2004 Blue Book (Report). Madison, Wisconsin: State of Wisconsin. p. 77. Retrieved August 23, 2020.
  2. ^ a b Barish, Lawrence S.; Theobald, H. Rupert, eds. (1989). "Elections in Wisconsin". State of Wisconsin 1989-1990 Blue Book (Report). Madison, Wisconsin: State of Wisconsin. pp. 912, 927. Retrieved August 23, 2020.
  3. ^ "Wisconsin Legislature Spotlight". Archived from the original on 2015-01-30. Retrieved 2011-04-23 – via Wayback Machine.
  4. ^ "Judges from Marathon, Marinette counties appointed to chief judge positions". Wisconsin Court System (Press release). Madison, Wisconsin. June 13, 2016. Retrieved August 23, 2020.
  5. ^ Paukner, Michaela (July 17, 2020). "4 chief judges re-appointed to new 2-year terms". Wisconsin Law Journal. Retrieved August 23, 2020.
  6. ^ Results of Spring Primary Election - 02/17/2004 (PDF) (Report). Wisconsin State Elections Board. February 27, 2004. p. 1. Retrieved August 23, 2020.
  7. ^ Results of Spring General Election - 04/06/2004 (PDF) (Report). Wisconsin State Elections Board. April 22, 2004. p. 6. Retrieved August 23, 2020.
Wisconsin State Assembly
Preceded by Member of the Wisconsin State Assembly from the 85th district
January 3, 1989 – May 31, 2004 		Succeeded by
Legal offices
Preceded by
Raymond F. Thums
 Wisconsin Circuit Court Judge for the Marathon Circuit, Branch 2
June 1, 2004 – July 31, 2022 		Succeeded by
Rick Cveykus
Preceded by
Neal Nielsen
 Chief Judge of the 9th District of Wisconsin Circuit Courts
August 1, 2016 – July 31, 2022 		Succeeded by
Ann Knox-Bauer