La Crosse County Judge Gonzalez reverses plan to retire this year

La Crosse County Judge Ramona Gonzalez has changed her mind about retiring from the bench this year.

Weeks ago, La Crosse County’s senior judge announced her intention to retire this summer — halfway through her current six-year term.

Now, Gonzalez has written to Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers, asking him to delay further action on appointing a successor.

In the letter, dated May 27, Gonzalez said that after a month of vacation, “it is clear to me that I am not ready to retire.”

The governor had accepted applications to fill the expected vacancy and an election for the Branch 1 seat was expected in early 2023.

Former La Crosse County Judge Candice Tlustosch recently announced her plan to run in the tentative election, but that election is now off.

“Knowing Judge Gonzalez, I know there are really parts of this job that she absolutely loves and I’m certain that retirement was not an easy decision for her,” Tlustosch told WIZM. “I’m happy to see that there are still things about this job that she loves and wants to continue doing, because it really is, it’s a great job. I’m happy to see that she’s back in a place where she’s enjoying that again.

Gonzalez became La Crosse County’s first female circuit judge when she won her first election in 1995. Her current term continues through 2025.