Bloom won’t run for re-election

The Oneida County Circuit Court will see additional changes in 2024 as Branch II Judge Mike Bloom has filed a notice of non-candidacy for the next election. Bloom’s decision to step down comes just months after Mike Schiek, a former district attorney, took the bench in Branch I, succeeding Judge Patrick O’Melia who retired in August 2022.

According to the Wisconsin Elections Commission, Bloom submitted non-candidacy papers on Nov. 27.

“My way of thinking is that elected officials should err on the side of concluding their service a little early as opposed to hanging around too long,” Bloom told the River News via email. “Also, I prefer to conclude my service at the end of a term rather than retiring in the middle of one, so that my successor is selected by the voting public and not a political appointee.”

Bloom was elected in 2012, succeeding the late Mark A. Mangerson.

Prior to his promotion to the bench, Bloom served as a public defender, worked in private practice with the law firm of Eckert, Kost & Vocke and served as the county’s district attorney from 2007-2012.

Those interested in running for the judicial seat Bloom has decided to vacate have until Jan. 2, 2024 to circulate and return nomination papers.

More information on the judicial race will be published as it develops.

Heather Schaefer may be reached at heather@rivernewsonline.com.