Two vie for Trempealeau County clerk of court seat

With current Trempealeau County Clerk of Court Mary Lee not seeking reelection, the county will have its third clerk since Michelle Weisenberger retired in 2022.

Weisenberger was replaced by Kari Tidquist, who resigned late in 2024. Lee was appointed to the position and served throughout 2025 and 2026 but decided not to seek reelection.

Vying to replace Lee in next Tuesday’s election are Mary Teresa Foss and Jessica Schue. Foss, the current chief deputy clerk of court, is running as a Democrat. Schue, a paralegal and office manager at Kulig, Michalak & Franklin, is the Republican candidate.

The Times sent questionnaires to both candidates. Their answers appear below.

Name: Mary Teresa Foss

How many years have you lived in Trempealeau County: 53 years

Educational Background: B.A. in English with a Communications Minor from Viterbo College. Paralegal certification from Western Technical College.

Present Occupation: Chief Deputy Clerk of Court for Trempealeau County.

Other relevant work experience: I bring over 35 years of supervisory management experience to the role of Clerk of Court, where I would lead a team of five deputies. My professional background includes nearly three years as Chief Deputy, as well as experience as an assistant manager and manager of a national retail store. Additionally, I owned and operated a hospitality business in Trempealeau County for 26 years, which included, but was not limited to, managing, budgeting, training, and customer service. While I was earning my paralegal certification, I successfully completed a paralegal internship.

Why are you running for Trempealeau County Clerk of Court? I am running for Trempealeau County Clerk of Court because I strongly believe in the essential work of this office. As the current Chief Deputy, I am familiar with our processes and committed to maintaining the highest standard of accuracy and efficiency. To ensure these standards are consistently met, I prioritize ongoing, thorough training for our deputies and open communication across all departments. Both are vital to the daily operations and service to our community.

What experience, qualifications, and other qualities would you bring to the position? With my background in training and communication—including teaching Speech and Written Communication at Western Technical College—I have developed strong skills in active listening, empathy, and clear instruction. I am passionate about helping others and am eager to assist community members by clearly explaining key administrative processes, such as filing small claims or temporary restraining orders, while maintaining the boundaries regarding legal advice. My focus is always on positively supporting the public and giving individuals the appropriate resources; for example, the free legal advice hotline.

Please state what you feel are the significant issues facing the clerk of court office at this time and in the future. Currently, the Clerk of Court receives less than 2% of the state budget, which severely limits our resources for staffing, technology, and case management. As a result, we rely more heavily on county funding and need to work closely with the county board to provide clear reports on our workload and operational needs.

Additionally, staff retention remains an ongoing challenge, primarily due to pay disparities between public and private sectors. I believe that practicing servant leadership-focusing on the well-being and long-term growth of our team-is one essential tool to help retain qualified and knowledgeable staff.

Looking ahead, if the Wisconsin Supreme Court’s budget proposal is passed by the legislature in 2027, Trempealeau County will gain a second judge. The Clerk of Court will play an integral part in this transition by managing another courtroom, hiring additional staff, overseeing the necessary training, and performing other administrative duties so that the new judge can integrate smoothly into the court’s operations.

Name: Jessica A. Schue

How many years have you lived in the county? My entire life—46 years.

Educational background: 1998 graduate from Independence High School and Associate Degree in Paralegal studies from Chippewa Valley Technical College. In addition thereto, basic Microsoft Word and Excel course.

Present occupation: Senior Paralegal and Office Manager at Kulig, Michalak & Franklin

Other relevant work experience: 24 years at Kulig, Michalak & Franklin (2000-2015 and 2017-present) and 2 years in the legal department at Ashley Furniture (2015-2017).

Why are you running for Trempealeau County Clerk of Court? I genuinely love the work that I do and I want to continue to serve the public. I have also seen firsthand the struggles within the Clerk of Court’s office and would like to see the office remain efficient, responsive, thorough, and approachable for everyone it serves. 

What experience, qualifications, and other qualities would you bring to the position? I have 26 years of experience as a paralegal, giving me extensive knowledge of legal procedures, case management, court processes and recording keeping. I have built strong organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills while working closely with attorneys, court staff, and members of the public all across the state. I am detail-oriented, dependable, and committed to providing efficient, professional, and respectful service to the public. 

Please state what you feel are the significant issues facing the clerk of court office at this time and in the future. One of the most significant issues facing the Clerk of Court office is employee retention and turnover. The turnover within the department has understandably been a major topic of discussion, and I am committed to fostering a positive, supportive workplace where employees feel valued, respected, and equipped to succeed. A stable and experienced staff is essential to providing efficient service to the courts and the public. Attorneys, litigants, law enforcement, and the public all rely on the Clerk’s Office every day. When there is consistency in staffing, strong working relationships develop, communication improves, and matters are handled more efficiently.

Looking ahead, I believe strong leadership, open communication, and investment in employee development will be key to building a dedicated team and reducing future turnover. I am also in a position to provide long-term leadership and continuity for the department. With many productive years still ahead of me, I am committed to serving Trempealeau County for years to come and providing the stability that both employees and the public deserve.