DA John Chisholm reflects on successes, challenges after announcing decision to not run for re-election at end of term

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- After decades in the Milwaukee County criminal justice system, District Attorney John Chisholm reflected on his career after announcing he will not run for re-election at the end of this year.

Chisholm said recent stability in the office means the time is right for someone else to take the reins after his 18 years as district attorney.

He said, "I think this is a really good time, we'll be in a stable place, and it's a good opportunity for somebody else to take over and take the office in new directions."

He said he's always been comfortable with people disagreeing with him on issues, but he's confident in what his office has accomplished under his watch.

In a sit-down interview Tuesday, Chisholm told CBS 58, "For me, it's just been a privilege. It's just been a privilege to be able to work with the incredible people that we have on this staff."

Chisholm pointed to a list of successes when explaining his decision to not run again for the DA position he's held since 2006.

He's particularly proud of community programs implemented outside the courtroom, like his office's approach to family violence, its domestic violence unit, a witness protection program, and diversion programs for non-violent offenders.

Chisholm said, "We changed the trajectory of our criminal justice system in a significant way. But it was done always, always in collaboration with our partners."

He said his goal in office has been two-fold: to hold people accountable for offenses while protecting everyone's civil liberties.

He said he knows people don't always agree with his decisions whether to charge someone with a crime, but he said his office has to have the evidence, despite public emotion. "The community is outraged that this incident occurred. They want that person charged. You don't have the evidence to support that. You don't go ahead and charge that case simply because it helps you politically."

Bail reform was a particular challenge during his tenure. It was designed to better factor in risk when setting cash bail.

But several high-profile cases, particularly Darrell Brooks, shone a spotlight on people who re-offended after posting a low bail.

Chisholm has one year left on his term. He said he made the announcement to give others adequate time to prepare to run for the position.

But he doesn't anticipate things slowing down as he closes out his tenure.

Chisholm said, "You run through the finish line, is what you really do. I don't know any other way to do it."

So far, no candidates have announced they'll run to succeed Chisholm, but that is expected to change in the coming days. Chisholm said there is someone in his office he would support, but he is waiting for them to announce their candidacy first before weighing in.