(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
KENOSHA, Wis. – Just weeks after Judge Chad Kerkman and Supervisor John Franco hijacked a Judiciary and Law Committee meeting to deliver one-sided attacks on District Attorney Xavier Solis, the tone was very different when Solis appeared in person before the committee Wednesday night.
The room was filled with supporters of Solis, including law enforcement voices, former prosecutors, and even a local Democratic activist who personally thanked him for his work. Citizens in attendance spoke out in support of the DA and criticized Judge Kerkman’s earlier remarks, saying the public had been misled.
(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
Public Support
Retired Kenosha Police officer Brian Gonzales told the committee he was troubled by Judge Kerkman’s intervention at the previous meeting. Gonzales emphasized that the separation of powers must be respected, noting that judges should not interfere with the executive branch of government. He added that Solis had been elected in a tough environment but was “doing a good job” for both citizens and law enforcement.
(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
Former Assistant District Attorney Douglas Haney, who has more than four decades of legal experience, went further, offering what he described as his strongest endorsement of any DA he has seen in his career. Haney called Solis’s emphasis on prosecuting violent crime and retail theft “exactly the right priorities” and said he found it “incredibly disturbing” that a member of the judiciary would attack an elected prosecutor without presenting facts. “My first thought was, how dare you?” Haney said of Kerkman.
(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
Franco Confronted
When it came time for the committee’s questions, Solis found himself in a tense exchange with Vice Chair John Franco, who pressed him on the number of prosecutors currently employed in the DA’s office. Franco, relying on incorrect information, claimed the numbers were far lower than reality. Solis corrected him point by point, listing names and clarifying that several new hires were already set to begin within weeks. He further noted that by the end of October, his office would be up to 15 prosecutors, with more scheduled to join in 2026.
(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
Questions From The Chair
Committee Chair Laura Belsky also questioned Solis, focusing on how his office was handling staffing pressures and prioritizing cases. Solis responded by outlining his strategy: placing the most experienced ADAs on violent crime, child exploitation, and gang-related cases, while ensuring new hires were properly trained to take on mid-level cases. His answers reassured many in the packed room that the DA’s office was not only functioning but actively reloading and focusing resources where they are most needed. Observers noted that Solis handled Belsky’s questions directly and professionally, strengthening his position in contrast to the misinformation aired at the prior meeting.
The exchange stood in sharp contrast to the prior meeting, when Judge Kerkman was allowed to present what Solis’s supporters described as scripted and false accusations without rebuttal. This time, with the DA present, the record was corrected in real time.
(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
Key Takeaways
Throughout the evening, Solis detailed his office’s focus on prosecuting violent crime, crimes against children, and organized gang activity. He described recent convictions for armed robbery, attempted homicide, child sexual assault, and a crackdown on cartel-linked criminals operating in Kenosha.
The atmosphere underscored the difference between last night’s meeting and the prior one: instead of one-sided attacks, the committee heard sharp corrections, public support, and a DA defending his record directly.
(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
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39 Responses
Not sure about ADA’s, but I’m truly shocked that the DA’s office hasn’t had a hard time filling county positions, as just about every other department is experiencing record turnover, especially since the insurance costs are going up so fast that 3% annual increases aren’t felt, and they started hiring department and division heads at the highest end of the pay scale, and then adjusting the pay scales so that the uppers keep making more and more money, while the people doing the work see less and less money.
That’s incredible, considering we listened to the county board talk about how they have to be so good to these directors and division heads so as to attract quality. Based on what I’ve witnessed with my interactions, Sam’s appointees are as worthless as she is. Budget comes out soon— it will be interesting to see if any of her appointees are adjusting their own salaries!
Sam is in so far over her ski’s. She is a worthless, clueless, spineless phony. Name 1 accomplishment? Just 1. There are none
She successfully snowed the Republicans in Kenosha county into electing her Executive. She will probably do it again unless RPKC gets their s*it in gear.
(Continued from above)
DA Solis, however, sounds likes doing a fantastic job. Well spoken, felt with Franco’s nonsense with more patience than anyone should have to muster in a professional setting.
It comes with the territory as a competent game-changing adult Republican. Democrats out of power emotionally regress to children.
If he can attract and retain employees, even with the BS that Sam and HR are pulling with wages and benefits, it says a lot about his leadership, as opposed to the departments being run by Sam & her ilk.
ADA’s are State employees, not county employees. The county has nothing to do with their pay or benefits. Educate yourself before you comment.
He said last night that they are not having problems attracting and and keeping non-ADA employees (who are county employees). There are more non-ADA employees than ADA’s, in that office.
Did you watch the meeting? Before you reply with snark, make sure you’re comprehending what is written, in relation to what was discussed at the meeting.
“Educate yourself” is code for “I have a small pee pee.”
Xavier is doing hell of a great job. Idc what people got to say about him went in and had to take care of the mess they left behind..
When he said to ask their friend, his predecessor 😂😂
I just about died laughing. He owned them and they didn’t even realize it!
I agree. He is a far cry better than we have had before!
one sided….hmmm like certain articles
You must suffer from TDS
TDS is so prevalent on the left, that it needs to be added to the DSM-5 😂
Gonzales? Really?
From Gonzales’ book, A Fateful Two Minutes:
His thought immediately after shooting Michael Bell in the head:
“Yaay–woo hoo! I did it! I cheered inside my head, as though I scored the winning touchdown.”
I knew his name sounded familiar! Terrible story!
Right! When it comes to supporters, why would Solis align himself with scum like Gonzales when he has plenty of other supporters with great standing in the community?
My thoughts exactly.
Well, man, that is just your opinion. I don’t recall him ever being found guilty in a court of law.
He was not charged with anything because there was an orchestrated criminal cover-up of the true circumstances of the death. Those involved should not rest easy. It is not over. The Bell family has not given up. There are many things still in progress. Justice will prevail.
You’re correct, “Gonzo for Sheriff.” But Gonzales’ reaction of “Yaay–woo hoo! I did it! I cheered inside my head, as though I scored the winning touchdown” after killing Michael Bell — whether it was justified or not — was piss-poor. And, as a previous poster mentioned, that came from his own book, so there’s no disputing on whether he said it or not.
Xavier is a man with integrity, and a good moral compass. He is doing an amazing job with what he was given to work with. I have faith he will continue to bear good fruits. I stand with Xavier!
Yes!
Where was JerkoffMan, was he tied up by bingo and unable to attend?
We don’t want to know what his nancyboy ass was doing
Sammy the Cow (Kenosha County Under boss) is truly worthless.
And she is a slob. For god sakes lady clean yourself up
Super alarming that RPKC hasn’t named a candidate to go against her, yet…
Mr. Solis inherited the same experienced staff that Mr. Gravely had before. Until January, the office was running smoothly, with paralegals and victim/witness specialists working independently and effectively. However, after Solis took office and following the resignation of more than 50% of his Assistant District Attorneys, serious problems began to emerge. Paralegals and victim specialists, who had previously performed well, are now making critical mistakes. These include failing to notify victims and witnesses, drafting criminal complaints without properly substantiated charges, and even omitting to press charges. Such errors are leading to dismissals and mistrials, and they are eroding public trust.
This is not a reflection of Mr. Solis’ leadership, but rather the result of inherited structural weaknesses that have now come to the surface. The only way to restore efficiency and credibility is to address these failures directly and remove those who continue to compromise the work of the office.
Mr. Solis has the opportunity to demonstrate that the first Republican prosecutor elected in ten decades will not only hold the line but also strengthen the institution for the future. The community placed its trust in him because it believed in his ability to lead with integrity and resolve. Now is the moment to act decisively, to confront these challenges head-on, and to ensure the office achieves the success it is capable of under his leadership.
Something Kerkman intentionally omitted to mention is that numerous incarcerated individuals have to wait an extremely long time to get an attorney from the SPD. This creates a very significant backlog as well, but of course, it is easier to blame everything on the Republican prosecutor.
I would like to join the cheering section for Xavier BUT he does bear some responsibility for the turnover in his office.
We had changes in DA’s before. Bob Zapf bear John Landa. Bob Jambois beat Bob Zapf. Then Jambois quit and Zapf was appointed to replace him. There were some disgruntled employees when those events happened but the turnover was brief and minimal. The people who backed his opponent jumping ship after Xavier’s election was expected. But he’s lost several people since then. And I have to question how invested the new hires will be in the community. There is time for this to shake out and it will take some time for that to happen but I may only clap with one hand until that does. Meanwhile, it would probably help to do exit interviews of the people who left.
I agree with you. Questions such as: How frustrated were you when your witnesses were not notified of the trial? How upset were you when a victim was sent to the wrong courtroom? How did you feel about the omissions the paralegal made while drafting the complaint?
Yup, it is a Great idea.
The attorneys are ultimately responsible for much of this, including proofreading complaints. There isn’t much experience left on the staff and I suspect that’s a part of this problem. Certainly doesn’t help that we seem to be riding the crest of a never-ending crime wave!
Once again, under normal circumstances, the ADA reviews the work of the paralegals. However, when the new District Attorney is confronted with a mass resignation of more than 50% of the ADAs, and the remaining attorneys have to absorb the workload left behind by the conspirators, there is little time for proper oversight. As a result, reliance on paralegals has increased, and unsurprisingly, mistakes have begun to surface. It appears that their attempt to avenge Carli’s electoral defeat has created significant problems for the new DA. It is time to begin investigating, suspending, and terminating all individuals who are not aligned with the effectiveness of the office and with Mr. Soli’s agenda.
The buck stops with Xavier. Frankly, the use of paralegals to draft complaints has become often the overuse of it because it means that cases submitted have not been more thoroughly reviewed which can lead to bad charging decisions. I don’t thing being aligned with the agenda has anything to do with anything at this point. You have to have people available to do the job and preferably experienced ones.
Give ’em hell, Doug.
Mr. Mathewson, In re: to some of the comments above, after the budget comes out, a very interesting story would be Sam’s directors and department heads, when they started, what they were hired at, and what their pay scale (not annual increases but actual scale changes) have been since they’ve started— and if any of the new directors (Highways, Health, unsure of whom else) who came in at the top have either proposed scale increases and/or actually received them.
I appreciate a DA who does his job. This is what I voted for. Mr. Solis’s predecessor, like some of the judges, engaged in lawfare during the Walker recall. Rats. Yet criminals were free and chaos reigned during Kenosha riots. There is a good man in office and sad to say, Sam has turned RINO.