Doyle picks Colon for Milwaukee court seat

Wisconisn Gov. Jim Doyle appointed Democratic state Rep. Pedro Colón to the Milwaukee County Circuit Court Wednesday, infuriating conservatives in the state.
Colón announced earlier this year he was leaving the Assembly after six terms. The judicial appointment came a day after JoCasta Zamarripa won the Dem primary to move into Colón’s seat. She will face independent candidate Ramona Rivas in the Nov. 2 general election.
Colón, a Puerto Rico native, got his law degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and his undergraduate degree from Marquette University. He was a key ally to Doyle in the failed attempt this past session to give the Milwaukee mayor more power in the Milwaukee Metropolitan School District.
Rep. Steve Nass (R-Whitewater) called the appointment patronage. Colón angered Nass earlier this year when he questioned from the Assembly floor why Nass wasn’t present for a vote on the Nass’ motion to expel state Rep. Jeff Wood.
Nass was absent from the early morning vote because he was preparing funeral arrangements for his mother. Colón later apologized.
Colón will fill the vacancy on the bench left by the resignation of Judge Patricia McMahon. He begins serving Monday, and his term will expire July 31, 2011. Colón, who is also a member of the powerful Joint Finance Committee, will resign from the Assembly prior to taking the bench.
– WisPolitics.com