Kentucky

Courier Journal is now releasing its endorsements.  We will post each of them with a link to their web site.  Interestingly enough, the endorsement for the Kentucky Supreme Court race seems enigmatic as the editorial noted that "Both candidates are worthy of support." 

The Courier then noted that it "hope[d] that, if elected, she will establish a sound record on public access issues, with respect to which we have deeply disagreed with her in the past."

In all fairness, the editorial followed up with

Mr. Shake also has a superb record, and has consistently led other Jefferson County circuit judges in every category of the local bar poll. The most recent gave him a 99 percent overall performance ranking.

His calm demeanor and steady approach are especially valuable in a trial setting, but he also has the intellect and courage needed on the Supreme Court.

Again, this race is an example of an important race with two outstanding career jurists contending for the office.  And, the editorial sums it up in the first two paragraphs that both are excellent candidates and regardless of who wins, the community will be served.

Editorial on Kentucky Supreme Court justice endorsement

Here are the important truths about the race for the state Supreme Court seat for the area including Louisville:

Justice Lisabeth Hughes Abramson, the incumbent, and Jefferson Circuit Judge Jim Shake, are both excellent candidates. Both are highly regarded in the legal and judicial community. A vote for either is a good vote. No matter who wins, the community will be well served.

A distinction often made between the two is that Ms. Abramson is more cerebral, thus more suited for appellate work, and in fact she was serving on the Court of Appeals when elevated by Gov. Ernie Fletcher after the death of Justice William McAnulty Jr.

But cerebral does not mean lacking in compassion. Dissenting in the Ricketts v. Rhoades case, which set the infamous precedent that a man who fathers a child during an affair with a married woman has no legal right to parenthood, Ms. Abramson reproached the "grievously" wrong majority, noting, "Our world is full of inconvenient truths. We accomplish nothing for families, the broader community and our justice system when we deny those truths."

We hope that, if elected, she will establish a sound record on public access issues, with respect to which we have deeply disagreed with her in the past.

Mr. Shake also has a superb record, and has consistently led other Jefferson County circuit judges in every category of the local bar poll. The most recent gave him a 99 percent overall performance ranking.

His calm demeanor and steady approach are especially valuable in a trial setting, but he also has the intellect and courage needed on the Supreme Court. He is a veteran of tough decision-making, as in the recent case in which he refused to return to the classroom those teachers whose contracts the school system had not renewed for performance and disciplinary reasons. He said the law "does not provide for a right of employment" in such circumstances.

Both candidates are worthy of support. Our endorsement goes to Justice Abramson.

For their respective web sites:

• Abramson
• Shake