Litigation

?Moral Vote? Group Targets Sitting San Diego Judges

By Peter Hardin

Four sitting Superior Court judges in San Diego County, California are facing unexpected challengers in an upcoming primary contest, and the challengers  have won endorsements from a group declaring that its mission is to unify the “moral vote.”

The group is named Better Courts Now. It has gained support from pastors and leaders who oppose gay marriage and abortion, according to a San Diego Union-Tribune article.

On its Web site, decorated with the colors red, white, and blue, Better Courts Now describes itself as “the most innovative approach to unifying the moral vote.”

That kind of advocacy, however, is little apparent in a news article devoted more to challengers’ remarks that they’re running to give voters a choice of judicial candidates, and that judges ought to be held accountable and pursue judicial restraint.

With the exception of one incumbent judge who was targeted, the other three incumbents have won support from almost every other sitting judge and have been far more successful in fundraising than their challengers.

An article in the San Gabriel Valley Tribune ascribes more direct motives to the effort to oust four incumbents in San Diego County.

“A conservative movement is targeting four sitting judges with the hope of replacing them with judges that reflect their values, particularly on gay marriage and abortion,” the newspaper says.

An article by KPBS was headlined, “Christian Right Targets San Diego Judges.” It quoted Bill Howatt, a retired family court judge, as endorsing the electoral process but voicing concern. It does not exist “to challenge a judge for political or religious purposes,” he said. “We have a separation of church and state in our constitution.”

?We need to get prepared for a big fight,? San Diego County District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis, a supporter of one of the incumbents, told San Diego News Network. ?Make no mistake about it. They are going to be organized and they are going to raise money. And it is a fight for the independence of the judiciary.?

Full post as published by The Gavel on May 24, 2010 (boomark / email).