Every election season, people come to me and say, "What judges do I vote for?" I always have to laugh and tell them that I haven't a clue - I only seem to look at education policy. I never know how to vote in these elections myself! Granted, this blog post isn't about education, but it is about citizenship and being an informed voter and that's SO IMPORTANT!
Recently, I received an email from Sharon Annesley of the Oklahoma Liberty Tea Party in Blanchard. This is HANDS DOWN the best information on judges I've EVER SEEN! This is awesome and I asked her permission to share it with you! The best part of the whole piece was that she has listed ALL the URL's she used for research, so if you want to go check them out yourself, you darn sure can! Thank you again so much for sharing Sharon! I hope this helps you as much as it helped me! If anyone has any information they want to add to the post, please do! Discussion is great!
NOV. 4th ELECTION INFORMATION
· Important
Dates…
· Link to
List of All Candidates…
· Judicial
Retention Elections…
· State
Questions on the Ballot….
IMPORTANT DATES
The election will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 4th,
2014. Absentee ballots are already being sent out.
General
Election: Tuesday,
November 4
Last day to register to
vote: October
10
Deadline to request absentee ballot: 5 p.m.
October 29
Early voting: Thursday,
October 30, 8 AM - 6 PM
Friday, October 31, 8 AM - 6 PM
Saturday, November 1, 9 AM - 2 PM
LIST OF ALL CANDIDATES/OFFICES AROUND THE STATE:
A list of all the Statewide Candidates on the Nov. 4th Ballot
can be found at the following:
JUDICIAL RETENTION IN HIGHER COURTS:
In the following Judicial Retention comments, I have completed a
cursory review of these candidates and this is how I’ll probably
vote. However, you can and should look into the judges as much as possible
to make a valid decision based on your personal values….If I get further
information related to these people, I will forward on to you to help you with
your decision-making….
For information on the DA and District Judge Elections for
District 21, see original information below this email. For elections
in other Judicial Districts, see link above to “All Statewide Candidates”….
A Summary of my Overall Preferences on the Judicial Retention
Elections:
RETAIN:
”YES” to GARY LUMPKIN – OK Criminal Appeals Court
“YES” to BRIAN JACK GOREE – OK Civil Appeals
Court
DO NOT RETAIN:
“NO” to JOHN F. REIF – OK Supreme
Court
“NO” to TOM COLBERT – OK Supreme
Court
“NO” to JOSEPH M. WATT – OK Supreme Court
“NO” to JERRY L. GOODMAN – OK Civil
Appeals Court
“NO” to JANE P. WISEMAN – OK Civil
Appeals Court
“NO” to DEBORAH BARNES – OK Civil
Appeals Court
“NO” to KEITH RAPP – OK Civil
Appeals Court
DISCUSSIONS:
Historically, no High Court Judge has ever been “voted out” in an
Oklahoma Retention Election…however, as voters become more educated, this could
change…”If in doubt, vote'em out”…..
OKLAHOMA SUPREME COURT JUSTICES
DISTRICT NO. 1 – JOHN F. REIF – VOTE “NO”,
not to keep
Reif was originally appointed by Governor Brad Henry (D) in 2007.
DISTRICT NO. 6 – TOM COLBERT – VOTE “NO”,
not to keep
Colbert was originally appointed by Governor Brad Henry (D) in
2004.
DISTRICT NO. 9 – JOSEPH M. WATT – VOTE “NO”,
not to keep
Watt was originally appointed by Governor David Walters (D) in
1994.
Probably one of the most publicized cases out of the OK Supreme
Court this past year was when the OK Supreme Court took it upon themselves to
"stay" the execution of two inmates despite the fact that this stay
of execution was the responsibility of the OK Court of Criminal Appeals and not
the OK Supreme Court. By law, the OK Supreme Court handles no
criminal cases. The OK Court of Criminal Appeals voted NOT to stay
the execution.
Colbert, C.J., Reif, V.C.J., Kauger, Watt and
Combs, JJ., concurred with allowing for a Stay of Execution, even though it was
fully outside of their jurisdiction per Oklahoma State Law (Constitution).
On the other hand Winchester, Edmondson, Taylor and Gurich, JJ.,
dissented with this Stay, claiming "The Appellants have maneuvered
this Court right where they set out to put us and that is, for the first time
in this Court's relevant history, in the middle of a death penalty
appeal. We have never been here before and we have no jurisdiction
to be here now." (Justice Taylor)
No matter how the execution came out, the Justices who voted Yes
were wrong in trying to “stay” the execution within the OK Supreme
Court. We don’t need Supreme Court Justices who believe they can work
outside the law and outside their jurisdiction.
In 2008, the OklahomaConstition.com commented on
these same 3 Justices…indicating that people should Vote “NO” for all three….
OKLAHOMA
COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS JUSTICES
DISTRICT NO. 3 – GARY L. LUMPKIN – VOTE “YES”,
to keep
Lumpkin was originally appointed by Gov. Henry Bellmon (R) in
January 1989.
In October 2012, political science professors Adam Bonica and
Michael Woodruff of Stanford University attempted to determine the partisan
ideology of State Supreme Court Justices in their paper, State Supreme Court
Ideology and 'New Style' Judicial Campaigns. A score above 0
indicated a more conservative leaning ideology while scores below 0 are more
liberal. Lumpkin received a Campaign Finance score (CF score) of
0.88, indicating a conservative ideological leaning. This is more
conservative than the average CF score of 0.33 that justices received
in Oklahoma. The study is based on data from campaign contributions
by judges themselves, the partisan leaning of contributors to the judges or, in
the absence of elections, the ideology of the appointing body (governor or
legislature). This study is not a definitive label of a justice, but
an academic gauge of various factors.
In 2008, the OklahomaConstitution.com commented
on this same Justice…recommending the people Vote “Yes” on Justice Gary
Lumpkin.
OKLAHOMA
COURT OF CIVIL APPEALS JUSTICES
DISTRICT NO. 1
OFFICE 1 – JERRY L. GOODMAN – VOTE “NO”,
not to keep
Goodman was appointed by Governor Frank Keating (R) in 1994.
OFFICE 2 – JANE P. WISEMAN – VOTE “NO”,
not to keep
Wiseman was appointed by Governor Brad Henry (D) in 2005.
DISTRICT NO. 2
OFFICE 1 – DEBORAH B. BARNES – VOTE “NO”,
not to keep
Barnes was appointed by Governor Brad Henry (D) in 2008.
Steve Fair, Republican, of Duncan, OK recommended a Vote of “NO”
for Barnes in the 2010 election. Although, Steve mostly recommends a
“No” vote based on whether they were appointed by a Democrat or Republican
Governor.
OFFICE 2 – KEITH RAPP – VOTE “NO”,
not to keep
Rapp was appointed by Governor George Nigh (D) in 1984.
CASES:
RAPP (All but 2003, 2005)
KEITH RAPP (2003)
DISTRICT NO. 6
OFFICE 2 – BRIAN JACK GOREE – VOTE “YES”,
to keep
Goree was appointed by Governor Mary Fallin (R) in 2012.
If you believe blogs, it appears that Justice Brian Goree is most
likely a pro-gun and a pro-life person….
In 2008, the Oklahoma Constition.com commented and recommended the
following vote….
It is recommended that all four of these judges up for
retention, Jerry Goodman, Jane Wiseman, Keith
Rapp, and John Fischer, should be replaced. VOTE
NO on all four (Note: 3 of which are included in the 2014
election). http://oklahomaconstitution.com/ns.php?nid=132&pastissue=1
STATE
QUESTIONS:
There are 3 State Questions on the ballot. I will probably
vote YES (to pass) on all 3, unless I hear something about them that is not so
obvious....NOTE: Always be careful how you vote on State Questions.
I don't have the actual wording on these and sometimes a "NO" vote is
a pass-vote and sometimes a "YES" vote is a pass-vote...read them
carefully.....
SQ 769 (Summary: Modifying the current law
in order to allow some of those who hold office to simultaneously be in a
Reserve or Guard Unit, even if they are called to active service while holding
office)
THE GIST OF THE PROPOSITION IS AS FOLLOWS:
This measure amends Section 12 of Article 2 of the Oklahoma
Constitution. That Section currently imposes limits on an
individual simultaneously holding certain government offices. The
amendment would permit those serving in state offices of trust or profit to
also hold certain military positions. Holders of an Oklahoma
office of trust or profit who currently cannot simultaneously hold certain
military positions, include:
Legislators;
State Judges;
District Attorneys;
Statewide elected officials, such as the
Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, and Treasurer;
Members of State Boards, Agencies and
Commissions, and Many County Officers.
The measure creates a state constitutional right permitting
holders of Oklahoma offices of trust or profit to also serve and be called to
active duty or active service in the following military positions:
An Officer or Enlisted Member of
The National Guard,
The National Guard Reserve,
The Oklahoma State Guard, or
Any other active militia or military force
organized under State law;
An Officer of the Officers Reserve Corps
of the United States or
An Enlisted Member of the Organized
Reserves of the United States.
The Measure empowers the Legislature to enact laws to implement
the amended Section.
SQ 770 (Summary: A Special Homestead
Exemption for disabled veterans and spouses of disabled veterans)
THE GIST OF THE PROPOSITION IS AS FOLLOWS:
This measure amends the Oklahoma Constitution. It
amends Section 8E of Article 10. This section provides a
homestead exemption to certain qualifying disabled
veterans. It also provides a homestead exemption to the
surviving spouse of qualifying disabled veterans. This measure
would allow either the veteran or his or her surviving spouse to sell the
homestead but acquire another homestead property in the same calendar
year. The exemption would apply to the newly acquired homestead
property to the same extent as the original exemption for the homestead
property that was sold.
SQ 771 (Summary: A Special Homestead Exemption
for spouses of military personnel who have died in the line of duty)
THE GIST OF THE PROPOSITION IS AS FOLLOWS:
This measure amends the Oklahoma Constitution. It would
add a new Section 8F to Article 10. It would create a homestead
exemption for the surviving spouse of military personnel who die in the line of
duty. The United States Department of Defense or the applicable
branch of the United States military would make the determination regarding
whether the person engaged in military service died while in the line of
duty. It would provide the surviving spouse of such person with a
one hundred percent (100%) exemption for the fair cash value of the homestead
until the surviving spouse remarried. This measure would allow the
surviving spouse to sell the homestead, but acquire another homestead property
in the same calendar year. The exemption would apply to the newly
acquired homestead property to the same extent as the original exemption for
the homestead property that was sold. The exemption would apply
beginning in calendar year 2015. The exemption would also apply for
the 2014 calendar year if the surviving spouse meets applicable requirements.
THE CANDIDATES FOR DISTRICT ATTORNEY AND DISTRICT JUDGE DISTRICT @! (Cleveland, McClain and Garvin Counties)
Overall, my opinion on the Judicial Retention Elections (not those candidates below) are "If in doubt, vote them out"....
Generally, I vote NO to all judges that are on the "retention" list ballot unless I know them to be truly good and fair judges who do not want to legislate from the bench...
The two candidates for DISTRICT JUDGE are:
STEVE STICE
JEFF VIRGIN
This new District Judge position will be principally located in
Cleveland County. Both of these men are currently working as Special
Districat Judges in Cleveland County (Stice) and McClain County
(Virgin).
Steven Stice previously owned a small business and worked with
others regarding business law for several years.; he worked in private practice
for quite a few years; and, he has been a Special Judge for a few years.
His experience is broad-ranged. He believes that it is important that
both parties who come to court, be it criminal or civil cases, should be
treated equally under the laws of the State and as applicable to law. He
did not believe that it was good to have "political" endorsements as
he believes they should remain apolitical as the job calls for. He has
several judges within the state who endorse him. He believes it is not
his position to "legislate" from the bench.
Jeff Virgin is younger than Stice and essentially has less
experience. He has worked with the DA's office and he has worked as a
Special Judge for a short time. He has been endorsed by the Sheriffs'
offices in all 3 counties and the DA's office. He also has been endorsed
by US Rep. Tom Cole and several of the State Legislators. He is proud of
these endorsements and he indicated that his experience as a Special Judge in
McClain County has given him much broader experience than would be normally
anticipated due to their heavy workload.
The meeting in Norman gave me a lot of insight into these two
candidates and really helped me to make up my mind which one I believe to be
the better candidate. I think both candidates are worthy of the position;
however, due to life and legal experience, I believe Steve Stice to be the
better of the two candidates at this time. I have no real problems with
Jeff Virgin. I agree with Steve Stice that judges should remove themselves
from the political arena as much as they can. I would also like for Jeff
Virgin to obtain a little more experience.
My Choice: STEVE STICE - DIST. JUDGE, D-21
The two candidates for DISTRICT ATTORNEY are:
GREG MASHBURN (incumbent)
MIKE MILLSTEAD
The District Attorney (along with the Assistant DA's appointed by
him) work in all 3 counties (Cleveland, McClain, and Garvin Counties).
Greg Mashburn is the incumbent DA for District 21. He has
been our DA for 8 years. Overall, Mashburn did not impress me too
greatly. His prosecution of many different crimes seemed to be somewhat
"mechanical" in his viewpoint. In example: He commented
that he gives drug offenders 5 chances (with various stepwise increasing
punishments) and then sends them to prison. His attitude didn't seem to
take into account various types of scenarios that could occur with these
people.
Mike Milstead openly admitted that he has an "ax to
grind" against Mashburn. This appears to be his greatest reason for
running for Dist. Attorney. This "ax" appears to be marijuana
(probably the legalization of it). He believes that the possession and
use of marijuana should not be a prison offense. When asked questions
about various issues, he seldom gave any answer unless the question related to
marijuana. I believe that he would "enact" marijuana
legalization by poor or no prosecution of most offenders. I don't know if
he would do too well at anything else either. His views and his overall
presence pushed me to only consider Mashburn as a viable candidate.
My Choice: GREG MASHBURN - DIST. ATTORNEY, D-21
