Election Day is fast approaching, and I am happy to again provide candidate profiles for local races. We start today with candidates for South Milwaukee Municipal Judge: Incumbent Kelly A. Martyka and challenger Megan Zienkiewicz.
Later this week: South Milwaukee School Board.
Thanks to the candidates for submitting information!
Election Day is Tuesday, April 1, and in-person absentee voting begins on Tuesday, March 18. Absentee ballots are already in the mail. More information on the city’s Elections web page. Sample ballot
Kelly A. Martyka
- Age: 39
- Campaign website/social media URL(s): https://www.facebook.com/martykaforjudge
- How long have you lived in South Milwaukee? I’ve lived in South Milwaukee for 7 years, but I’ve worked in South Milwaukee for almost 11 years.
- Family: I just got married in December 2024, and have officially “adopted” my husband’s two dogs – Olive and Jack
- Occupation: Probate and Estate Planning Attorney, Partnerships Consultant, Municipal Judge
Relevant experience for this role?
I have been the judge for the last three years, and have owned my own law practice in South Milwaukee for over 10 years.
Why are you running for office?
I’m running for re-election. I actually ran in 2019 for the first time. I ran because I wanted to give back to South Milwaukee for being so welcoming and supportive of me when I just started my law practice, and the municipal judge position was one within my area of expertise – the law. I love serving South Milwaukee with fairness, diligence, and compassion. The people coming to court and the community at large have created a supportive and thoughtful community, willing to listen, learn, and support each other wherever they can. It’s a wonderful place to live, to work, and to serve. I am so grateful for this community and the people I’ve come to share it with. I couldn’t be more thankful, then, for the opportunity to serve as your municipal judge for another term!
What is the most important issue in your race?
Two things come to mind. The first is, what is a municipal court and who is the municipal judge? People don’t always know the about the judge or the court, and that’s sort of a good thing! Most people don’t WANT to know the court!
Second, people have a lot of concerns when coming to court. Even some of the lowest level tickets could completely throw off their financial state. If they lose a license, they might lose their job or home, because they can’t get to work, and that income was the only income for the household. Who is able to watch their young children or elderly parents while they are at the court sorting things out? I want to meet people where they are and make sure that they understand the consequences of their actions, but also are not held back from being good, healthy, safe citizens of our community.
What is the biggest challenge facing the Municipal Court?
The biggest challenges I see facing our court and municipal courts all over our state today are necessity and separation of powers. Municipal courts are small. Our court in South Milwaukee consists of only three people, myself and two incredibly smart, helpful, supportive clerks. Many communities are considering doing away with their courts because it is a cost they can no longer bear. South Milwaukee is fortunate to have a small but mighty court that works hard every day to make the community healthier, safer, and stronger.
The other big issue is a separation of powers. Many people may not know this, but a municipal court is just like any other level of court. It’s its own branch of government that helps to serve as checks and balances on the other branches. It’s also not a revenue generating branch of government. In our court today, we focus on fairness, diligence, and compassion. Meeting our community members where they are. Finding solutions that will make the community safer and stronger. Being able to do this without the interference of other branches or expectations that do not align with the focus of the courts’ interpretation of law and goals is key.
What is the biggest opportunity for the court?
Courts, today, are at the center of creating fair, strong, and safe communities. We have the ability to work with our partners in government and the community to strengthen and support our communities to be healthier and safer for everyone. We have the opportunity to find solutions outside of dollars that will provide understanding to our community and compassion for those that may be in trouble. Courts also must remain the impartial, unbiased branch that helps provide the checks and balances required by our constitutions.
What are your foundational principles in deciding court cases?
The foundational principles I stand by are fairness, diligence, and compassion. We strive to make every hearing date and trial transparent, explaining the process and procedure, and providing information along the way to help defendants through the process the best we can. I know that coming to court can be daunting, so I have worked closely with my clerks to make sure we show understanding and compassion along the way. I am also diligent in staying on top of current best practices, reviewing each trial ordinance ahead of trial to best understand the aspects of the ordinance and any nuance through caselaw, and connecting with other judges for advice, guidance, and thoughtful support.
Megan Zienkiewicz
- Age: 48. (turning 49 the day before the election)
- Campaign website/social media: Zienkiewicz for Municipal Judge – South Milwaukee WI on Facebook
- How long have you lived in South Milwaukee: Since 2018.
- Family: Married in 2003. Husband: Tom We do not have children, but we do have a super cute Tuxedo cat.
- Occupation: Retired after 20 years working as an attorney for the Wisconsin State Public Defender. Currently, I am an adjunct professor at Carthage College. I am teaching a variety of law classes, including: the rules of evidence and trial procedure, business, international and sports law. I am also a figure skating coach and figure skating program director.
Relevant experience for this role?
During my time at the Wisconsin State Public Defender’s Office, I spent countless hours in the courtroom which provided a wealth of experience related to due process, evidence, and trial advocacy. All of those skills are essential to effectively presiding over municipal court.
Additionally, I was the Local Attorney Manager for the Racine Public Defender’s Office, which allowed me to supervise our attorneys and participate in various criminal justice system initiatives, including the Wisconsin Veterans Treatment Court for the 2nd Judicial District. I was also the agency wide Racial and Ethnic Disparity Practice Coordinator. These roles provided me with opportunities to view the justice system from a holistic viewpoint, which is imperative in the role of a judge.
Based upon my experience, I have been asked to teach sitting municipal judges at the Wisconsin Municipal Judges’ Association Judicial Education Conference regarding the rules of evidence and trial procedure. I have frequently presented on issues surrounding Racial Disparity, including the Race Discussion Circles, Responding to Racism, Implicit Bias, and Racial Anxiety. I have also been published in the Wisconsin Bar Association’s Juvenile Law Handbook.
I have been honored as a Top Up-And-Coming Wisconsin Attorney in Super Lawyers and Milwaukee Magazine, and as a member of the Rubin Society of the Wisconsin State Public Defender for my work with children. I am the proud recipient of the 2016 Chiarkas Award from the Wisconsin State Public Defender in recognition of my innovative leadership efforts.
Why are you running for office?
I am motivated by, and enthusiastic about, this position because of my dedication to justice for all. I have spent a considerable amount of time in the courtroom as a litigator and I know the role a judge plays in shaping the experience of everyone involved. It is critical for all parties who come before the court to know that they will receive equal treatment. People appearing before the court will know that they will be treated with respect and are before a judge who will hear what they have to say, decide their case with an open mind, always grounded in the law.
Why should voters vote for you?
Voters should vote for me because I have the experience and knowledge that allows me to understand the important role that the judge plays in the justice system. Because of my experience, there is nothing that can occur in the courtroom that I am not prepared for and likely have not seen before. For that reason, I am the best candidate to run a fair, impartial and efficient courtroom.
What is the most important issue in your race?
The most important issue in the South Milwaukee Municipal Judge race is to ensure confidence in the court. It is critical for all potential future participants to know that their case will be handled fairly, efficiently and following the appropriate legal principles.
What is the biggest challenge facing the Municipal Court?
The biggest challenge facing the Municipal Court is to provide a transparent process where each participant clearly understands the process and walks away knowing they were treated fairly even if the decision is not in their favor. This can be accomplished through clearly communicating the court process to participants prior to and during court. Fortunately, my background and experience allows me to understand where confusion can come into play and how to effectively communicate during open court to solve those issues.
What is the biggest opportunity for the court?
The court, and more specifically the judge, has the opportunity to impact the litigants who come before it. The impact should leave litigants believing that the process was fair and based on the law, even if they do not agree with the outcome. This serves to preserve or even build confidence in the court system.
What are your foundational principles in deciding court cases?
The foundational principles for deciding court cases is the law. I will apply the law to all matters before me fairly and without bias.
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