Continuing election coverage from last week, the Chippewa County Clerk of Circuit Court race is contested this year. Facing off this Nov. 3 for Clerk of Circuit Court are Nate Liedl (Republican) and Jennifer Kragness Lee (Democrat). The clerk of circuit court’s office is responsible for managing court records, finances, and day-to-day administrative operations for trial courts. This can include jury management as well, the office outlined in Article VII, Section 12 of the state constitution, with more detail in Chapters 59.40 and 753.30 of the state statutes. Both candidates for the contested position of Chippewa County Clerk of Circuit Court were invited to fill out a candidacy questionnaire, and each submitted a response.

As for Nate Liedl, he is 45 years old, born and raised in Chippewa Falls, and elected to replace the previous clerk of circuit court in 2022. With more than 10 years of experience in the office and four years in private law firms, he shared more in a questionnaire.

Name: Nate Liedl

Age: 45

Seat/Office Sought: Clerk of Circuit Court

Background/Education:

Born & raised in Chippewa Falls. Paralegal degree; elected Clerk of Court in November 2022. Over 10 years of experience in the Clerk of Court office and an additional four years in private law firms.

Philosophy for the Role of Clerk of Circuit Court:

The Clerk’s Office should be accurate, accessible, professional, and accountable to the people it serves. My philosophy is that the administrative side of justice should make the court system easier to navigate—not more complicated—while still adhering to all required court policies and procedures. The Clerk of Court must protect the integrity of court records, support judges and justice partners, treat every person with dignity and respect, use public resources responsibly, and continually improve efficiency without sacrificing accuracy or fairness. Every interaction should leave people feeling informed, respected, and confident in the process.

Most Important Issue & How I Would Address It:

The most important issue to me is customer service. While the Clerk’s Office must follow strict “no legal advice” guidelines, we still have a responsibility to assist people who are unfamiliar with court procedures. At the same time, we must effectively support attorneys, judges, county departments, and partner agencies. My focus is on ensuring staff are well trained, patient, and equipped to guide people through required steps, provide clear information, and maintain a welcoming environment. Strong customer service strengthens trust in the court system and ensures that everyone—regardless of background or experience—can navigate the process with confidence.

Campaign Social Media: facebook.com/NateLiedlCOC

Challenging Liedl for the post of Chippewa County Clerk of Circuit Court is Jennifer Kragness Lee, a 51-year-old who graduated in 1995 with a secretarial associates degree from Chippewa Valley Technical College. With three decades of public service supporting the administration of justice in Chippewa County, Kragness Lee has worked directly with courts for 28 years, including as deputy register in Probate, Deputy Clerk of Court, and Judicial Assistant. She shared more in a questionnaire.

Name: Jennifer Kragness Lee

Age: 51

Seat/Office Sought: Chippewa County Clerk of Circuit Court

Background/Education: 1995 Graduate w/Secretarial Associates Degree from Chippewa Valley Technical College

I am proud to have supported the administration of justice for nearly three decades in public service for Chippewa County. For 28 of those years, I worked directly within the courts as a Deputy Register in Probate, Deputy Clerk of Court, and Judicial Assistant.

What is your basic philosophy for the role of Clerk of Circuit Court?

My philosophy is simple: cases must be processed accurately so that justice is served correctly, and they must be processed quickly so that justice is not delayed. I will ensure that when a court orders restitution, it is delivered to the victim promptly. With my extensive background, it makes me the preferred contact for clarifying procedures to ensure that all legal processes adhere strictly to statutory guidelines. I bring procedural expertise and collaborative spirit needed to keep the Circuit Court running smoothly.

What is the most important issue to you and why? How would you address it?

The most important issue for a successful Clerk’s office is accessible, hands-on leadership. I believe a leader must have a working knowledge of every deputy clerk’s role. When staff see their leader willing to do the work alongside them, it fosters a culture of collaboration and shared responsibility.

Under my direct supervision, I will ensure that policy implementation is consistent and re-centralize key administrative operations that have been assumed by other staff in the office. This approach will prevent administrative gaps and ensure that every aspect of the Clerk’s office aligns with the mission to provide fair and equitable customer service to everyone who has a reason to use the justice system. In my current role, I have observed the work produced by the clerks and believe there are opportunities for improvement in accuracy. As a leader, I will set high standards for work quality and expect my team to uphold the same level of commitment.

Campaign Social Media: Jennifer Kragness Lee for Chippewa County Clerk of Court

With early in person absentee voting open as of Oct. 20, other races in Chippewa County this November include Sheriff and Coroner, neither of which is contested in November. Sheriff Travis Hakes defeated challenger Mark Hollister in the Aug. 11 Republican primary, while coroner is being sought by Ron Patten as a Democrat. Also on the ballot this November are U.S. House Districts 3 and 7 as well as several state offices and three ballot questions.