Who is Attorney General Candidate Eric Toney?
August 20, 2022

Tamira Musgrave

Journalist

KEY POINTS

  • Eric Toney is an expert in criminal law and prosecution.
  • Hopes to restore the DOJ’s crime-fighting mission.
  • He is passionate about upholding the law and protecting our police.
  • Toney is endorsed by 100+ sheriffs, district attorneys, and police chiefs. 

As November approaches, many residents of the state wonder who some of the candidates are for the upcoming election. So who is Eric Toney?

Toney is committed to the safety and security of all Wisconsin residents, families, and law enforcement. He isn’t afraid to bring the hammer down when necessary, as he’s an experienced and proven prosecutor. First elected as Fond du Lac County District Attorney, Eric has successfully prosecuted various serious crimes such as sexual assault, domestic violence, homicide, drug trafficking, racketeering, and financial crimes. 

With crime being one of the most prioritized issues among voters, Toney appears to be the ideal choice. Eric hopes to restore the DOJ’s crime-fighting mission while enforcing the law and standing by law enforcement, communities, and families of Wisconsin. 

A Natural Leader 

As the District Attorney of Fond du Lac County, Eric and other officials put themselves on the frontlines, ensuring the communities within the state are not a drop-site for the violent sex offenders being released from the Sand Ridge Treatment facility. Eric fought that battle, and the violent sex offenders now must be released only to their county of residence.

Eric also worked with other community leaders to create the county’s first Drug Court. In addition, Toney helped form a group called the Opioid Coalition, making strides to combat the devastating epidemic Fond du Lac has been enduring. As the coalition chair, Eric helped assist the coalition’s merger with Drug-Free Communities in his county. 

Toney has taken on multiple leadership roles in the Wisconsin District Attorneys Association (WDAA), including Chairman of the Legislative Committee and Chairman of the Communications Committee. Toney also served as a former Secretary/Treasurer of the WDAA. 

Eric Toney ensured local officials, law enforcement, and district attorneys were taken care of during the pandemic, offering guidance. In 2020, he advised that Governor Tony Evers exceeded his executive authority by extending the public health emergency beyond 60 days. Later, in 2021, the Wisconsin Supreme Court ruled that Evers public health emergency declarations were unlawful. 

Eric has also led county-wide training for law enforcement officers of Fond du Lac. In addition, he has consistently supported and guided law enforcement concerning complex criminal investigations.  

A Fearless Prosecutor

Eric Toney is an experienced attorney and prosecutor and has appeared in courts across the state, including:

  • Fond du Lac
  • Marinette
  • Brown
  • Manitowoc
  • Outagamie
  • Calumet
  • Winnebago 
  • Sheboygan
  • Dodge
  • Washington
  • Richland
  • Juneau 
  • Milwaukee
  • Racine

Toney believes in a holistic approach concerning the rampant methamphetamine and opioid epidemic washing over the state of Wisconsin. Eric knows incarceration is only one element of the bigger picture when battling the ongoing drug-abuse outbreak. Establishing the Drug Court in Fond du Lac County reflects the work and energy necessary to control this growing issue. Incarcerating those with drug offenses serves only as a bandaid. 

A Close Connection With The Law

Eric Toney was born at St. Agnes Hospital in Fond du Lac and grew up in a family centered around law enforcement. His father worked as a police officer and served his community for over 30 years when he finally decided to retire. 

Eric knows firsthand the great sacrifice, commitment, and dedication of our men and women in blue. Waking up each day not knowing if your loved ones will return home safely is a feeling that Toney is familiar with; therefore, protecting and supporting local law enforcement is a priority.  

After graduating from Fond du Lac High School, Eric Toney earned his undergraduate degree with a double major in History & Political Science at St. Norbert College in De Pere, Wisconsin. However, Toney kept pushing forward and eventually graduated from Law School at Hamline University, where criminal law sparked his interest.

Each summer as a law student, Eric would return to his home county to intern in the District Attorney’s Office. This internship solidified his interest and passion rooted in criminal law. 

Former President of the Wisconsin Police Chief’s Association, Sean Marschke, endorsed Eric Toney. Marschke stated that Eric Toney is one of the state’s toughest prosecutors, and he has the respect of cops on the street and fellow prosecutors. He adds that violent crime is surging in Wisconsin communities, and the state must be tougher on crime. Eric Toney is that guy. 

Sean Marschke isn’t the only one to endorse Toney either. Over 100 sheriffs, district attorneys, and police chiefs have endorsed him without hesitation. Find the complete list of endorsements baking Eric Toney here

A Community Volunteer 

Toney has been committed to his community from the very start. He volunteers as a judge and trainer for Teen Court and as a board member for ASTOP, a sexual assault survivor advocacy group, and the Fond du Lac Running Club. 

Eric is a proud member of the following organizations/groups:

  • The National Rifle Association (NRA)
  • Fond du Lac and Eastern District of WI Bar Associations
  • The Federalist Society (an American legal organization that advocates an originalist and textualist interpretation of the constitution)
  • Badger Boys State (youth program designed to help high school students understand government and leadership)

Eric Toney is also dedicated to volunteering with the Drug-Free Communities of Fond du Lac, Fond du Lac County’s Health 20/20 Committee, and serves on the subcommittee for alcohol abuse. 

A Regular Guy

Eric enjoys competition, taking a shine to competitive sports, such as track in middle school. He was also the captain of the track and cross country teams in high school and college. 

Toney loves spending time with friends, family, and his pup Patton. He’s a diehard football fanatic and enjoys watching the Badgers and Packers play, even becoming an owner of the Green Bay Packers. Eric is always heading to sporting events, has completed seven marathons in his lifetime, and enjoys running in his free time. 

Today, we can see all of these positive characteristics come together to form an excellent choice for Wisconsin’s AG. Leadership, competition, serving his community, and supporting law enforcement have always been central aspects of Eric Toney’s life. 

An attorney general is responsible for providing consumer protections from scams or dangerous products, people, and situations, protection of state resources by upholding state and federal environmental laws, oversight and involvement in criminal court cases and appeals, enforcement of judgments like victim’s programs, and formal opinions to state and federal agencies. 

Eric Toneys’ adept leadership skills, unwavering dedication to his community, and extensive criminal law background, and experience in prosecution cases all over Wisconsin make him a strong candidate for Attorney General. 

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