It's a little surprising that David VanderLeest has decided to run for a legislative seat in a Green Bay recall election.

Because the 34-year-old businessman has much more experience with the judicial branch.

VanderLeest, who headed the recall effort against state Sen. Dave Hansen (D-Green Bay), announced today that he'd be a candidate for Hansen's Senate seat. Two other Republicans have already announced.

But they don't have VanderLeest's long court record, including a bankruptcy, a home foreclosure, an unpaid judgment, building code violations and a misdemeanor conviction.

Vanderleest, former second vice chairman of the Brown County Republican Party, said he expected his past problems to become an issue. He vowed to post all of the records related to his troubles on his campaign website, which is not yet online.

"Nobody can beat me on the issues, so they will attack me," he said.

Specifically, he was convicted of disorderly conduct, a Class B misdemeanor, in 2007. He said the conviction was part of a plea deal in a domestic dispute.

That same year, a bank foreclosed his Green Bay house, which was sold at a sheriff's sale.

Another bank, Associated Bank, won a court judgment for nearly $30,000 against VanderLeest and his company, VanderLeest Enterprises. That sum has never been paid, VanderLeest acknowledged.

In addition, VanderLeest and his then-wife filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in 2006, meaning he did not have to repay most of his creditors. The bankruptcy filings show that they reported $118,341 in assets and $291,674 in liabilities, including unpaid credit card debts, health care bills and loans.

"I had a marriage fall apart and I was in real estate," VanderLeest said. "I'm not ashamed of that."

Asked why the voters should select him to oversee a multibillion-dollar budget given his personal financial problems, VanderLeest said the answer is simple.

"I represent the average person who's struggling," he said.

VanderLeest said he expects to be targeted by top officials in Green Bay. The city has taken him to court over building code violations at properties he owns, leading to more than $1,300 in fines for VanderLeest. His buildings were deemed nuisance properties.

Fed up with his treatment, VanderLeest said he filed a federal suit against the county executive, district attorney, register of probate and a judge. He said he didn't have the money to pursue the matter to the end. No Quarter couldn't immediately find the case.

He said people will realize he was right on all these matters once they read the documents he plans to post on his campaign website.

"I've been run through the wringer, and I just keep on coming," he said.

Hansen didn't immediately return a call seeking comment on his possible opponent.