KENOSHA, Wis. — Brian Sheffler, Kenosha County’s Register in Probate and Juvenile Clerk, announced this week that he is running for Kenosha County Clerk of Circuit Court following the decision by longtime Clerk Rebecca Matoska-Mentink not to seek re-election.
Sheffler is running as a Democrat and is expected to advance to the Nov. 3, 2026 general election absent a primary challenge.
Sheffler, a Bradford High School graduate and alumnus of the University of Wisconsin–Parkside, said he wants to bring a more modern and accessible approach to the Clerk of Circuit Court’s office. Courthouse insiders describe Sheffler as closely aligned with Matoska-Mentink, but also as “much kinder” in his interactions with attorneys, courthouse staff, and members of the public.
“I’m eager to share my vision for a more accessible, efficient, and navigable judicial system in Kenosha County,” Sheffler said. “My story started as a courthouse intern, and it has been a life’s honor to serve in various capacities in the legal and justice community.”
Absent a Democratic primary challenge, Sheffler is expected to advance to the Nov. 3, 2026 general election, where he could face a Republican challenger.
Sheffler brings more than 25 years of experience in the legal and courthouse community. He first entered the Kenosha County Courthouse as a student intern through Bradford High School’s Co-Op program. He later worked as a legal assistant at law firms in Kenosha and Racine counties before becoming Municipal Court Clerk for the Village of Pleasant Prairie in 2010.
In 2018, all eight Kenosha County circuit court judges unanimously appointed Sheffler to serve as Register in Probate and Juvenile Clerk. In that role, he has overseen hundreds of probate, guardianship, and juvenile matters each year.
During the COVID-19 pandemic and the civil unrest that followed the 2020 riots, Sheffler played a key role in maintaining courthouse operations and helping safely reopen the courts.
“I look forward to meeting thousands of neighbors across our county to hear what they feel needs to be improved, and to tell them about why I want to be their next Clerk of Circuit Court,” Sheffler said.
Sheffler said his campaign will focus on improving access to the courts, maintaining a high level of public service, and responsibly managing taxpayer resources.
“Access to justice is your constitutional right and I will ensure Court operations guarantees that,” Sheffler said. “Court administration is more than just filling out forms, it’s about helping people.”
Outside of the courthouse, Sheffler is active in several community organizations. He is a founding member of the Pleasant Prairie Historical Society and supports the Kenosha Chamber Choir, Kindred Kitties, Lakeland Animal Shelter, and the Wisconsin Humane Society.
He also serves as president of the Wisconsin Register in Probate Association and president of the board of directors for the HOPE Council on Alcohol and Other Drugs. Sheffler is a member of the Wisconsin Juvenile Court Clerk’s Association and previously served on committees for the Wisconsin Municipal Court Clerk’s Association.
Throughout his career, Sheffler has also mentored new clerks in Kenosha, Racine, and Walworth counties and completed advanced training programs through UW–Green Bay, the National Association of Counties, and the National Center for State Courts. His campaign website describes him as offering “new leadership” and a “fresh perspective” for the Clerk of Circuit Court office.
9 Responses
Interesting pitch, running as the fix for a broken system you’ve helped run. If accessibility, efficiency, and transparency are suddenly priorities, where have those efforts been while you’ve been there thus far? Fresh perspective shouldn’t start the day you decide to run for office.”
I think you have to read between the lines. The guards can’t tell the warden what to do but they sure know what not to do when they become the new warden.
Add he’s a Democrat let’s not forget that tidbit of information.
I don’t think he’s a big “D” Democrat. By running as a Democrat he avoids the fracture in the local GOP that’s likely to come from having three candidates for sheriff in the primary.
Elect a democrat. The 2 republicans in office in Kenosha County are useless in their positions.
Good guy, he got into his position because of who he knows, not because of his experience and I think this applies here too. Hope he knows he’ll actually have to show up to work now! And, his “much kinder” approach just means he’s a follower so doubt much will change from Beckys bs. I hope an outsider, republican or democrat, runs too! An outsider who has no connections whatsoever to the ones running the place now.
I 2nd the 1st comment: “Interesting pitch, running as the fix for a broken system you’ve helped run. If accessibility, efficiency, and transparency are suddenly priorities, where have those efforts been while you’ve been there thus far? Fresh perspective shouldn’t start the day you decide to run for office.”
Hopefully a few more people put their name in
Good luck, Brian.
Agree with the much kinder, but also much less competent than Becky. Becky has been grooming him to be her successor for years. Somebody like Zack Rodriguez would be even worse. We’re doomed.