Gov. Evers appoints Ellen Anderson as Rusk County District Attorney

Gov. Tony Evers announced his appointment of Ellen Anderson to serve as Rusk County District Attorney. Gov. Evers’ appointment fills a vacancy created by District Attorney Annette Barna’s election to the Rusk County Circuit Court. Anderson will serve for the remainder of the unexpired term that ends January 2025.

“Ellen Anderson’s career both inside and outside the courtroom has given her a breadth of experience that will make her an exceptional district attorney,” said Gov. Evers. “She understands how and why people become involved in the criminal justice system and will collaborate with partners in the legal system and the community to ensure her work contributes to a safer, fairer Rusk County.”

Anderson has spent the past 12 years as a prosecutor in Western Wisconsin, including in the Clark, Eau Claire, La Crosse, and Rusk County district attorney offices. Her caseload has concentrated on sensitive crimes, and she has extensive experience with treatment courts. Prior to her legal career, she worked in a variety of human service-related positions, which included coordinating a sexual assault resource center for a five-county region in Minnesota, providing services to at-risk children and families, working as a case manager, and teaching high school social studies.

“Ellen is an exceptional choice for Rusk County District Attorney,” said Clark County District Attorney Melissa Inlow. “She is intelligent, hardworking, dedicated, innovative, and thoughtful. Ellen’s dedication to justice and public service is proven by her nearly 12 years’ experience serving West Central Wisconsin as a prosecutor. Her colleagues and law enforcement respect and support her; she will be a great leader.”