The election’s only a week away, and it’s time to consider the local races. NAC’s pants-down editorial board hasn’t undertaken a detailed consideration of the candidates, which is to say there hasn’t been the chance to set aside three hours for beer, pizza and politics. For now, we’re throwing out local contests randomly for discussion, and using the Tribune’s hard work to set the table. Thanks, guys.
First up, the two contested judicial races. In the new Floyd Superior 3 …
Attorneys battle to become judge of new Floyd County court, by Matt Thacker (News and Tribune).
Two New Albany attorneys are facing off to become the first judge of the newly created Floyd County Superior Court No. 3. The campaigns have focused on what type of experience is most important for a judge.
Republican Rick Fox, 53, boasts 21 years of experience in the courtroom and has represented various agencies at different levels of government. Democrat Maria Granger, 53, says she already has judicial experience as a Supreme Court Hearing Officer and taught Business Law at Indiana University Southeast.
Fox has accused Granger of not having enough jury trial experience.“I’ve tried criminal and civil jury trials as well as have had many cases in the Indiana Court of Appeals,” Fox said. “I think that distinguishes my record from (Granger’s) record.”
Granger said that she has tried about 10 cases before a jury, but also manages more than 600 cases per year as Hearing Officer.
Earlier today at Freedom of Speech, Granger repeated a statement that first drew attention here during last spring’s primary, and that Fox references above:
I am also the only candidate in this race who has fought crime for more than five years and prosecuted hundreds of cases before judges and juries.
Perhaps our resident legal minds can help make sense of this lingering oddity. What constitutes a case before a judge and jury, and how many has she really tried?
ELECTION Q & A 2008: Floyd Superior Court 3
Maria Granger for Judge (Superior III)
Rick Fox for Judge (Superior III)
The other contested judicial race is Superior 2, pitting Glenn Hancock (D) and Chris Lane (R).
ELECTION Q&A 2008: Floyd Superior Court 2
Glenn Hancock for Judge (Superior II)
Chris Lane for Judge (Superior II)
Susan Orth (D) is unopposed in Superior I: Susan Orth for Judge (Superior I).
Please post your thoughts, subject to the usual identification policy.
