Get to know the two Republican candidates running for Wood County clerk of courts
Republican candidates Kimberly Stimac and Janel Tepp will appear on the ballot in a primary race Aug. 9 for Wood County clerk of courts.
The winner of the primary race will likely become the new clerk of courts in November, as there are no opponents from other parties. Current Clerk of Courts Cindy Joosten is not seeking reelection.
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USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin asked each of the candidates to address important issues in the court system and why they believe they are the best candidate for the position.
Here are the candidates and their responses:
Kimberly Stimac
Age: 41
Residence: Wisconsin Rapids
Occupation: Chief deputy clerk
Highest level of education: Associates degree in administrative assistant and secretarial sciences
Campaign website: https://www.stimacforclerkofcourts.com/
Janel Tepp
Age: 45
Residence: Wisconsin Rapids
Occupation: Bookkeeper/deputy clerk for Wood County clerk of circuit courts office
Highest education level: Three years of college
Campaign website: https://m.facebook.com/people/Janel-Tepp-for-Wood-County-Clerk-of-Circuit-Court/100080419961733/
Why are you running for office?
Stimac: In order to hold an elected position, you must reside in the county for which you are seeking election. This is the community I grew up in and where I chose to raise my family. It has always been my goal to work in the community that I know, love and support. Over the last 20 years, I have worked hard and taken advantage of the support and educational opportunities I have been offered to ensure that I would be ready when Ms. Joosten retired. I would be honored to be elected as the Wood County clerk of circuit courts.
Tepp: To assist the public in maneuvering through the court system in the most efficient way possible and making the process less contentious. I believe that with my experience inside of the Wood County clerk of circuit courts office, I have the knowledge and tools necessary to make this happen.
What makes you the better candidate in this race?
Stimac: I am the only candidate with office management experience within the clerk of circuit courts office. I have been the chief deputy clerk in the Portage County clerk of circuit courts office for the last six years and nine months. I manage an office of 10 staff members. I assist with interviewing, hiring, reviewing and discipline of staff. I develop and update office policies and procedures and train new and current staff. I am also the only candidate who is an associate member of the Wisconsin Clerks of Circuit Court Association and will be completing the Court Executive Development Certificate in 2023.
Tepp: I have worked inside of the Wood County clerk of circuit courts office for over 16 years. I have formed good partnerships with other agencies and/or departments within the county throughout this time and feel that I have a better connection to understanding what the people of Wood County need when they come to visit our office.
What are residents telling you are their most important issues, and how would you address them?
Stimac: I have not heard concerns specifically for the clerk of circuit courts office. People want to know what the office does. The clerk is the record custodian for the circuit court and governed by state statutes and Supreme Court rules. They must ensure documents are filed accurately; keep an accurate record of court proceedings; collect millions of dollars in various fines, fees and forfeitures; provide access to public records; manage jury selection, budgets and trial court resources; and act as the liaison between the courts, attorneys, state agencies and the public. Essentially, they keep the courts running efficiently and effectively.
Tepp: One of the largest issues we face as a department is access to information and forms regarding the processes. Once elected, one of my goals is to create a better forum for the public to use and gather information from so the process is not so overwhelming. The more information a person has the less anxious the person and the process becomes. Thereby attempting to not only be more streamlined, but also more informational to the legal system.
This article originally appeared on Wisconsin Rapids Daily Tribune: Kimberly Stimac, Janel Tepp running for Wood County clerk of courts
