April 4, 2012 at 6:11 p.m.
Bloom elected circuit court judge
Voters promote DA to the bench
Bloom elected circuit court judge
Bloom defeated third-generation Rhinelander attorney John O'Melia 5,056 votes to 4,462 votes to claim the Branch II judgeship, according to unofficial results posted on the Oneida County website.
Bloom said Wednesday he's deeply honored and very grateful for the vote of confidence.
"I am exhilarated, humbled and overwhelmed by the results of the election," he said. "I am thankful to the voters for their confidence in me. I take the responsibility very seriously."
Although O'Melia won the primary, 1,307 votes to 1,290 votes, Bloom said he thinks his candidacy "gained momentum" as the campaign wore on. He was also quick to thank all those who provided support and advice along the way.
"I am grateful to the many people who actively supported my campaign," he said. "I had an exceptional campaign committee. I received advice, encouragement and a lot of assistance from a broad array of different people and I could not have accomplished this without them. I am very thankful to the law enforcement community for their support, particularly the Oneida County Deputy Sheriff's Association, the Rhinelander Professional Police Association, and Woodruff Police Chief Lenny Drewsen."
Most importantly, Bloom said his wife was the guiding force behind his campaign.
"I could not have done this without the support and encouragement of my wife Beth and my two children, Erin and Adam," he said. "Beth's support is the single most important factor in my getting through this process. Now that the election is over, I am looking forward to spending some quality time with my family."
In a statement, O'Melia said he is "disappointed" by the outcome of the election but wishes Bloom the best.
"I went over to congratulate Mike last night and wished him well in his transition to judge," he said.
O'Melia said he's proud of the campaign he ran and would like to thank all of his supporters, especially those who put up yard signs on his behalf, and his wife, Kathy, who he referred to as his "campaign manager and main supporter."
"Looking back I believe we ran a very positive campaign and it was great experience," he said, adding that he will take a few days off before getting back to work at his family's 100-year-old law firm, O'Melia, Schiek & McEldowney S.C.
Bloom had high praise for O'Melia.
"I want to personally thank John O'Melia for conducting a very honorable campaign," he said. "I have known and respected John for years, but my respect and admiration for John has increased significantly as a result of this election. John O'Melia is a man of integrity and he is an asset to this community."
It is unclear when Bloom, who has been Oneida County District Attorney since 2007, will officially take the bench.
Now that the voters have chosen him, he said there is a possibility that Gov. Scott Walker will appoint him to finish the unexpired term of Judge Mark A. Mangerson who stepped down at the end of 2011 and was later appointed to the Third District Court of Appeals in Wausau. Mangerson held on to his Court of Appeals seat in Tuesday's election. He ran unopposed.
"(It's) unclear as to whether (an early appointment's) going to happen or what the timeframe would be, if it does, but there certainly is a possibility that there would be an appointment prior to what would normally be the beginning of the term on Aug. 1," Bloom said.
Heather Schaefer may be reached at [email protected].
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