by Jeff Johnson

This past month at a gathering of family and friends to celebrate his birthday, life-long Riverwest resident David Borowski declared his candidacy for circuit court judge. Borowski spent his childhood at 2549 N. Bremen St. in the shadow of St. Casimir. His family residence had been an ice cream store run by his grandparents. His father Leonard served Milwaukee County as a social worker while his mother Mary Anne taught school for MPS. One of Borowski’s earliest memories is his father’s candidacy for the Milwaukee County Board. He remembers following his father as he canvassed door to door in the Riverwest community. Although his father came in third in that election, Borowski attributes his lifelong interest in politics to his parents’ strong sense of public service. He attended Pierce Street School and knocked down many a pin at the Polish Falcon lanes during his youth. A year before graduating from Messmer High School in 1984, he was elected to attend Badger Boys State where his appetite for politics was further engaged. While living at home with his parents, he attended Marquette University, majoring in political science. Key influences for him at Marquette were Father Timothy O’Brien, current director of the Les Aspin Institute, and Professor Larry Le Blanc. He graduated from Marquette Law School in 1991. Borowski has campaigned for many local and state candidates, including Ed Garvey for governor, Dave Schultz for County Executive, Tom Barrett for Representative, and his friend Jeff Pawlinski for Alderman. He practices law and has extensive experience as a trial attorney. Since 1998 he has served as Court Commissioner. Borowski hopes to bring to the bench his love for the city, his passion for the truth, his basic sense of fairness, his experience, and his willingness to be tough when necessary. He quotes current Judge Louis Butler, “A judge needs to determine which people have simply made mistakes and can be redirected, and which are so bad that they need to be taken out of society for their own good and the good of others.” He acknowledges the gravity of those decisions and looks forward to being on the front lines of giving shape to the community through the justice system. Riverwest Currents – Volume 2 – Issue 1 – January 2003
by Jeff Johnson