Press release:

Local attorney David Gehrke, senior partner in the Des Moines law firm, Gehrke Wegener & Doull, has announced his candidacy for Des Moines Municipal Court Judge.

Gehrke filed his campaign documents with the Public Disclosure Commission in February and will be on the November 2013 ballot.

This will be the first time the city of Des Moines has elected its own judge.

A life-long resident of the Des Moines area, Gehrke says he is looking forward to the opportunity to give back to the city of Des Moines where he and his family have lived for many years.

“I have 35 years’ experience as a trial lawyer. I think people deserve to have the best and the most experienced presiding over our community courts where most people have their one and only chance to see justice at work. What a privilege it will be to serve my own community in this way.”

A product of local public schools and the University of Washington, Gehrke served as a combat medic in the US Army in the 1970’s. For the past 35 years, he has been a respected trial lawyer specializing in criminal defense and personal injury. He has handled difficult cases ranging from death penalty murder charges and million dollar damage claims to shoplifting and traffic tickets. He has practiced law in nearly every Washington county and many states across the country.

Gehrke is a frequent speaker in high schools, community colleges, and churches. He and his Des Moines law firm are frequent donors and volunteers in the community, and Gehrke has coached youth basketball and soccer for many years.

Gehrke’s wife, Susan, teaches special needs children in the public schools, and the Gehrkes have two sons – Matt, who is a senior at the University of Washington, and Josh, who is bound for Seattle University this fall.

All are huge Seattle Sounders fans. David Gehrke’s father, Al Gehrke, now 94, still lives in the area and was also active in the community.