Kentucky

The Courier-Journal editorial folks are now issuing their endorsements for contested judicial elections in November. Editorial Endorsement | Judicial Contests in Divisions 3,7,6,10, 11 .  However, please note that Divisions 6 and 11 are in CIRCUIT COURT; the rest are in DISTRICT COURT

They posted five today. 

I agree with four of their five.

I do not agree with their failure to endorse Judge Claude Prather.  Their reasoning and analysis are not only weak but suspect.

I agree with the CJ's following endorsements. 

• Olu Stevens - Div. 6, Jefferson Circuit Court
• Brian Edwards - Division 11, Jefferson Circuit Court
• Jennifer Bryant Wilcox -  Div. 7, Jefferson District Court
• Sheila Collins - Div. 10, Jefferson District Court

However, the Curious Journal did miss the mark in endorsing Sandra McLaughlin over incumbent Judge Claude Prather who has now served 8 years on the bench and already has the endorsement of Citizens for Better Judges and very favorable marks from lawyers in the Louisville Bar Associations Judicial poll.

Judge Claude Prather has my vote. He is currently sitting on the bench, having been elected back in 2002, and now having served the public well for these past 8 years.  The Courier's notes that Ms. McLaughlin has studied political science, clerked for a Supreme Court justice, and served as a county attorney (per CJ), guardian ad litem attorney and volunteer with the Legal Aid Society.  When stacked up to a sitting judge doing a darn good job, these attributes are not enough.  No disrespect intended to Ms. Sandra L. McLaughlin who is challenging him for this race, but Judge Prather is just doing too good a job. 

You don't have to take my word for it.  Judge Prather has been endorsed by Citizens for Better Judges - this endorsement is highly valued and respected among lawyers and those involved in the legal profession. 

Don't take the "blue ribbon" committee's word for it.  The 2009 Louisville Bar Association Judicial Evaluation Poll offers further insight.  A poll by lawyers who practice in Jefferson District Court thought Judge Prather was doing a great job as he received a 95% approval rating and was one of two highest rated district court judge in 2009 bar poll.  What is the bar poll?  Those lawyers who practice in district court and who know the good judges, the hard working judges.  And those in the know, place their faith and trust in Judge Prather to hear their cases and do justice.  Now that's a pretty good endorsement too.

Please note that the other four candidates endorsed in this round also had Citizens for Better Judges endorsements.  Why not Judge Prather?  I guess it boiled down to a perception by the Curious Journal's editors that the challenger had "fresh ideas and energy".    Little do they know this judge! 

I cannot disagree with the CJ any more on this one.  Judge Prather has years of experience, hard work, family, friends, integrity, and competence plus a tireless energy when he was campaigning that put me to shame.  All these qualities mean more than a "fresh idea" or two.  District Court requires judges who work hard, day in day out, day after day, week after week.  

What is even more perplexing is how the Courier-Journal overlooked the 2004 story in their own paper by Jason Riley in which Sandra McLeod (now McLaughlin) was fired by Commonwealth Attorney David Stengle "amid allegations she grabbed and berated a juror who helped acquit a man accused of rape."  See, "Juror Incident leads to firing, Prosecutor says she didn't grab, berate woman".  Also, quoted in the Courier's January 14, 2004 story was Jefferson Circuit Court Chief Judge James Shake regarding Sandra McLeod (now McLaughlin's) conduct -

"It's extremely inappropriate and unprofessional. . . . It's intolerable."

The Courier can't seem to get all the facts in order since McLeod McLaughlin was a prosecutor with the Commonwealth Attorney's Office and not the County Attorney's Office.  And, their reference that Prather was a "tool and die maker" seems to ignore the fact that in addition to being a hard worker in the trenches that Prather also was a labor relations specialist involved in negotiating conracts at GE, a union steward, and a delegate for several  years with the Greater Louisville Central Labor Council. 

You can count on Claude to do the job.  He treats lawyers and litigants with respect.  That's what a judge is supposed to do. 

I will share this bit of advice I received from "Claude" back when we were both on the campaign trail in 2002, and I had to go speak to the various groups regarding their support.   I remember his advice -  "Don't let them make their cause, your cause."   As a judge, you have but one cause - justice.  He followed that ethical guideline during the campaign and on the bench.  I understand he still maintains that independence.

We deserve a judge who works as hard as we do;  Claude is one of those judges.  He has not slowed down a bit, and has a love for the job and for people and for doing the right thing.

Judge Prather has my vote.  I hope he has yours.