Brown County clerk of courts race pits incumbent Vander Leest against challenger Borchardt, who criticizes his leadership

GREEN BAY – The race for Brown County clerk of circuit court features two Green Bay residents, both with multiple terms holding elected office at the county level: incumbent John A. Vander Leest and challenger Megan Borchardt.

The clerk, who serves a four-year term, maintains court records; oversees jury management; tracks fees, fines and forfeitures paid via court clerks' offices; and performs administrative duties including budgeting and administering trial court resources, developing effective policies and procedures, and recruiting and maintaining competent staff.

Vander Leest, a Republican, is completing his second term in the clerk's office; he won a first term in 2015.

Borchardt, a Democrat, is in her third term as a Brown County Board member, having defeated longtime member Guy Zima in 2018.

The election is Nov. 8, with early absentee voting underway.

The Green Bay Press-Gazette asked each candidate to complete a questionnaire. Some responses were lightly edited for clarity and brevity.

For information about registering to vote and polling locations, visit the MyVote Wisconsin website at myvote.wi.gov.

Megan Borchardt

• Age: 42

• Address: Green Bay

• Current occupation: Merchandiser

• Highest education level completed: Some college

• Experience relevant to this job: Elected to the Brown County Board for three consecutive terms beginning in 2018; served on the Public Safety Committee, Health and Human Service Committee, and The Housing Authority; member of Board of Directors for Aging Disability Resource Center (ADRC); Member of the Brown County Community Gardens.

• Campaign website: https://www.facebook.com/Meganforclerkofcourts

John A. Vander Leest (i)

• Age: 42

• Address: Green Bay

• Current occupation: Brown County clerk of courts since 2015

• Highest education level completed: Bachelor's of business administration, University of Wisconsin-Madison

• Experience relevant to this job: Brown County clerk of courts since 2015. Also, I served 13 years on the Brown County Board. I have real-life experience in real estate and with contracts. My family has been a small business owner in west Green Bay for over 60 years.

• Campaign website: None

Why are you running for this office?

Borchardt: I am running for the clerk of courts to address issues that have been brought forward. Constituents need to have confidence in this office to resolve their needs. The high staff turnover, dismal customer service and misguided leadership are just some of those issues.

Vander Leest: I’m proud of the work we’ve done during my time as clerk of courts. I’ve focused on ensuring victims are receiving the restitution they are owed from offenders. I’ve also looked out for taxpayers by ensuring that my office’s budget is balanced and operating efficiently.

Why are you the best candidate in this race?

Borchardt: I will be a present manager who will work to create a more effective workplace where there is trust, cooperation, support and accountability. I will work closely with our judges, elected officials and other agencies to create a more seamless process to move cases forward to benefit taxpayers.

Vander Leest: I’ve produced strong results over the last eight years. Collections due to the court system have increased by over 20%. Restitution to victims from offenders has nearly tripled from $150,000 to over $450,000. I inherited a large budget deficit that I was able to erase.

What are residents telling you are their greatest concerns? How would you address them?

Borchardt: Voters are frustrated they are unable to reach the clerk's office, and messages have been left unanswered. Due to the lack of leadership, taxpayers' attempts to work with the clerk of courts have been met with rude, condescending behavior leaving customers frustrated and their issues unresolved. Under the supervision of the clerk, the lack of attention to detail has resulted in errors that left some constituents to deal with overwhelming consequences. The clerk’s office maintains and processes records for family, civil, traffic and criminal courts, and jury duty. The dysfunction in processing these matters are costly to the courts and taxpayers.

Vander Leest: Crime is the biggest concern for Brown County residents. Defunding the police and handicapping law enforcement is the wrong direction for our community and country. I work closely with the Brown County judges, district attorney and sheriff’s office to ensure that our court system is functioning efficiently so justice can be done. I also work hard to make sure victims are receiving the restitution they are owed from offenders. This both helps crime victims and holds offenders accountable for their actions. I would be honored to continue to keep working for Brown County.

Editor's note: Because Borchardt criticized Vander Leest directly, the Press-Gazette gave him an opportunity to respond to her allegations of poor leadership and customer service. He wrote, "The clerk's office is fully staffed. I'm proud of the team, and of the work they do."

This article originally appeared on Green Bay Press-Gazette: Brown County clerk of courts campaign pits Vander Leest, Borchardt