With Jim Doyle currently running for governor, the office of state attorney general has rather large shoes to fill. In order to properly fill the position as the state’s top cop and prosecutor we need someone with experience and a supreme dedication to their work. Peg Lautenschlager is what Wisconsin needs in order to advance in the realm of criminal prosecution and protection for its citizens. Lautenschlager’s extensive experience with prosecuting and politics in the state of Wisconsin blows her opponent, Vince Biskupic, out of the water. Lautenschlager started off her career in politics 17 years ago as the Winnebago County District Attorney. Currently, Biskupic holds this same position in Outagamie County and has for the past eight years.
In the past decade Lautenschlager has moved far beyond the position of County DA and gained a broad base of experience. After holding the DA position in Winnebago country from 1985-89, Lautenschlager went on to represent her hometown of Fond du Lac in the Legislature from 1989-92. In 1993, Lautenschlager was appointed U.S. attorney for Wisconsin’s western district – the chief federal prosecutor for 44 counties. Lautenschlager served as a U.S. attorney until April, 2001, when she stepped down in order to run for state attorney general.
Lautenschlager’s past work history speaks volumes about her ability to handle and enhance the position of state attorney general. The combination of local representation as a legislator and years of experience as a federal attorney strikes the essential balance that the state DA needs in order to succeed.
In her years as a U.S. attorney, Lautenschlager handled a myriad of cases dealing with anything from computer crimes to drug dealing, increasing felony prosecutions 18 percent in the process. In her area sentences for white-collar crimes were the toughest in the nation. Also, she created a civil enforcement unit that pursued environmental issues, health care fraud and consumer protection.
Lautenschlager delved deep into the issues by placing an emphasis on community development as a method of deterring violence and crime.
As attorney general, Lautenschlager would open an Office of Public Integrity within the Department of Justice. The office would be a part of the Criminal Litigation, Anti-trust and Consumer Protection Unit. Overall, Lautenschlager’s grasp and knowledge of the issues facing Wisconsin is far beyond that of her opponent. Biskupic is still working in the position that she moved beyond 15 years ago. Lautenschlager is the right choice for the safety and integrity of the state of Wisconsin.