Robert Watson Landry

Robert Watson Landry (June 22, 1922 – November 13, 2017) was an American lawyer, judge, and Democratic politician. He served two terms in the Wisconsin State Assembly, representing the east side of the city of Milwaukee and went on to serve 35 years as a Wisconsin circuit court judge in Milwaukee County.

For other people named Robert Landry, see Robert Landry (disambiguation).
Robert W. Landry
Wisconsin Circuit Court Judge for the Milwaukee circuit, branch 6
In office
August 1, 1978 – August 1, 1993
Preceded byTransitioned from 2nd circ.
Succeeded byGeorge W. Greene Jr.
Wisconsin Circuit Court Judge for the 2nd circuit, branch 6
In office
November 24, 1959 – July 31, 1978
Appointed byGaylord Nelson
Preceded byFrancis X. Swietlik
Succeeded byTransitioned to Milwaukee circ.
Member of the Wisconsin State Assembly
from the Milwaukee 1st district
In office
January 1, 1951 – June 1954
Preceded byThomas A. Hickey
Succeeded byEdward F. Mertz
Personal details
Born(1922-06-22)June 22, 1922
Madison, Wisconsin, U.S.
DiedNovember 13, 2017(2017-11-13) (aged 95)
Political partyDemocratic
Spouse
Vera Katherine
​
​
(m. 1951; died 2002)​
Children3 sons
Education
Professionlawyer, judge
Military service
AllegianceUnited States
Branch/serviceUnited States Navy
Battles/warsWorld War II

Biography

Landry was born in Madison, Wisconsin.[1] He attended school in Atwater, Wisconsin, and Shorewood, Wisconsin, before graduating from the University of Chicago and the University of Wisconsin Law School. During World War II, Landry served in the United States Navy. He died on November 13, 2017, at the age of 95.[2]

Political career

Landry was elected on the Democratic ticket to the Wisconsin State Assembly in 1950, representing Milwaukee County's 1st Assembly district (the 1st and 3rd wards of the city of Milwaukee). He was re-elected in 1952.

During his second term in the Assembly, he ran for and won election to a judgeship on the Milwaukee Civil Court. He served in that role until he was appointed to the Wisconsin circuit court judgeship in November 1959, to replace Francis X. Swietlik, who had resigned.[3][4] He subsequently served 35 years as a circuit court judge. In 1977 he ran for an open seat on the Wisconsin Supreme Court, but was defeated by William G. Callow.[5][6]

Electoral history

Wisconsin Supreme Court (1977)
Wisconsin Supreme Court Election, 1977[6]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Nonpartisan Primary, February 15, 1977 (top-two)
Nonpartisan Robert W. Landry 133,732 45.00%
Nonpartisan William G. Callow 102,371 34.45%
Nonpartisan Trayton L. Lathrop 61,058 20.55%
Total votes 297,161 100.0%
General Election, April 5, 1977
Nonpartisan William G. Callow 415,533 53.59%
Nonpartisan Robert W. Landry 359,873 46.41%
Plurality 55,660 7.18%
Total votes 775,406 100.0%

References
  1. "Members of the Assembly". Wisconsin Blue Book. Retrieved 2013-10-15.
  2. "Judge Robert Watson Landry". Legacy.com.
  3. "Judge Landry Gets Circuit Court Post". Wisconsin State Journal. November 25, 1959. p. 8. Retrieved November 18, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. "He Believes in the 12-Person Jury". The La Crosse Tribune. March 27, 1977. p. 6. Retrieved June 24, 2019 – via Newspapers.com. open access
  5. "Thompson School Chief Again; Callow Is Justice". The La Crosse Tribune. April 6, 1977. p. 1. Retrieved June 25, 2019 – via Newspapers.com. open access
  6. Theobald, H. Rupert; Robbins, Patricia V., eds. (1977). "Elections" (PDF). The State of Wisconsin 1977 Blue Book (Report). Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau. pp. 856, 859. Retrieved November 18, 2021.
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