Three candidates for Winnebago County Branch 1 outline mental‑health courts, case coordination and neutrality at Oshkosh forum

At a League of Women Voters forum in Oshkosh, three candidates competing in the primary for Winnebago County Circuit Court Branch 1 presented their qualifications and proposals for the county court system.

The contest features Lakeisha Hayes, a former Winnebago County judge and Oshkosh Common Council member; Eric Haywood, a judicial court commissioner; and Michael Rust, a long‑time professional neutral who has led the Resolution Center. The incumbent, Teresa Basilere, is not seeking reelection, the forum moderator said.

The candidates spent most of the hour addressing how their legal experience would shape their work on the bench and describing specific programs they would support. Mental‑health treatment courts, improved case coordination where families face multiple dockets, and outreach to help the public understand court operations were the most frequently mentioned priorities.

Lakeisha Hayes, a former Winnebago County circuit court judge and current Oshkosh Common Council member, emphasized her prior judicial experience and preparation on the bench. "I'm the only candidate who has the previous experience as a judge," Hayes said, adding that her time on the bench gave her familiarity with the full range of cases handled in county court and with supervising court commissioners. She said she favors greater cohesion when multiple cases involving the same family are routed to different branches and suggested changes to case‑assignment procedures to reduce conflicting orders.

Eric Haywood, a judicial court commissioner who said he has handled more than 3,000 cases in his 13‑year career, discussed work already underway to create a mental‑health court in Winnebago County. Haywood said he has spent recent months meeting with Judge Gibbs, prosecutors, public defenders, law enforcement and service providers to draft policies and procedures for a mental‑health treatment court. He said such a court could reduce recidivism by providing treatment options rather than repeated incarceration.

Michael Rust, who described more than a decade as a professional neutral and mediation director, stressed judicial neutrality and experience with restorative practices. Rust said he has mediated more than 2,000 disputes and led programs including veterans and drug diversion efforts in other jurisdictions. He argued that treatment courts and programs that address underlying problems can keep people from returning to court repeatedly.

All three candidates described how they would handle cases when an attorney appears unprepared. Rust said he would pull the attorney aside, offer a private, generalized conversation and, if needed, encourage withdrawal or an adjournment; he noted service on the Office of Lawyer Regulation oversight body. Hayes urged reporting unethical or seriously ineffective counsel when warranted. Haywood described using short pauses to allow attorney‑client communication during hearings and, for persistent concerns, speaking with attorney supervisors or reporting to the Office of Lawyer Regulation in exceptional cases.

Candidates also addressed recusal and judicial ethics. Each cited Wisconsin Supreme Court rules and state statutes as the baseline for recusal when there is an actual conflict or an appearance of conflict; all supported transparent disclosure of any prior connections as a first step.

On judicial temperament, Rust emphasized calmness and de‑escalation, saying his approach has kept his hearings orderly without removing participants. Hayes highlighted thoroughness and clarity in written and oral rulings; Haywood emphasized being prepared, pragmatic and fair.

The forum, moderated by Margie Davie, president of the League of Women Voters of Winnebago County, included questions submitted in advance and from the audience. Karen Schneider, publisher of the Oshkosh Herald and the Nina News, served on the panel. The forum reiterated voting logistics provided by the League: three candidates are on the Branch 1 ballot and the primary election date referenced by candidates is February 20; a later date mentioned for the subsequent election was April 2. The League also announced early in‑person absentee voting at 19 East Irving Avenue, with specific early voting dates and times and directed listeners to vote411.org and myvote.wi.gov for additional information. The moderator reminded attendees that photo voter ID is required at the polls.

No formal endorsements or votes were taken at the forum; the event was a candidate question‑and‑answer forum organized to inform voters. Candidates had 90 seconds per answer under the forum rules and used closing statements to summarize their qualifications.

The forum highlighted areas where the next Branch 1 judge could shape local practice: creating or expanding mental‑health and specialty treatment courts, improving coordination for families with multiple related cases across branches, and maintaining public trust through transparency about recusals and courtroom conduct. The candidates presented differing experiences and emphases but showed common interest in treatment‑oriented alternatives for some offenders and in greater public outreach about court operations.