Court of Criminal Appeals - Candidates
Posted by ReactionaryBeth Kellum faces Lucie McLemore in the GOP Primary Run-off for Judge of the Court of Criminal Appeals, Place 1. Kellum got 34% of the vote in the Primary, McLemore got 24%, Peggy Givhan lost with 22%, and Teresa Petelos lost with 21%. The winner faces Democrat Clyde Jones in the General Election.
The Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals is “composed of five judges, one of whom is elected by the members of the court to serve as presiding judge. The Court of Criminal Appeals hears all appeals of felony and misdemeanor cases, including violations of city ordinances and all post-conviction writs in criminal cases”.
…served as an Assistant Attorney General; staff attorney for the Court of Criminal Appeals; private law practitioner for seven years, and as a senior staff attorney for the Alabama Supreme Court.
…private law practice in Montgomery with her father… District Court of Montgomery County, winning primary and general elections in 2000.
UPDATE:
Just had the pleasure of hearing both candidates present 5 minute speeches. Both candidates gave great speeches; both noted their Conservative approach; either of them would make a fine Appeals Court judge.
Beth Kellum noted her work as Staff Attorney for the Court of Criminal Appeals and her work with the Republican Party. She spoke of her legal opinion-writing experience and knowledge of the Court and Court Administration.
Her handout headline: “Fair, Experienced, Conservative”.
Lucie McLemore said she was a Conservative like Ronald Reagan, Mo Brooks, and Faye Dyer. She received applause when she noted that as a District Judge, she actually made criminals pay their fines and restitution (collected $1.5 million). She also noted her work with the Republican Party.
Her handout headline: “Experienced, Fair, Conservative”.
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June 21st, 2008 at 1:17 pm
It is mildly scary when judges apply political labels to themselves. Much rather see a judge run on with a “without fear or favor” slogan. While we aren’t to the point yet that judges wear party pins or armbands to court, how soon will it happen?
As an aside, both sound like good district/circuit court candidates, Kellum should have the edge because of her opinion writing experience. Obdisclaimer, I will not vote in the run off since I voted in the D primary where the local race was.
June 21st, 2008 at 2:44 pm
It is more scary when a judge has posters of Che Guevara and Obama behind his desk…
http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2008-06-10-ohio-lethal-injection_N.htm
walt - this will be a tough choice between two good candidates: I agree with you that Kellum’s Appeals Court staff experience is a plus, but McLemore is a sitting District judge who seems to be doing a great job.
My Disclaimer - I voted for Kellum in the Primary, will probably vote for her in the run-off.
June 21st, 2008 at 4:12 pm
Dunno if you were around in the 60-70’s when wall hangings of what I called a “New Trinity”, MLK, JFK and Malcolm X walking in garden were popular.
Wonder how soon we’ll see Obama/Che/? also on black velvet.
June 21st, 2008 at 11:00 pm
Beth Kellum is huge and has a sour disposition. It takes a lot more than brief-writing to be a judge. That’s what they hire law clerks and staff attorneys for. Voters should look for judicial temperament and experience with criminal offenders. I doubt if Kellum has ever talked to a criminal defendant. McLemore was an excellent judge in Montgomery.
June 22nd, 2008 at 6:29 pm
Walt, you can still vote in the GOP runoff even if you voted in the Dem primary.
June 22nd, 2008 at 6:43 pm
Legally, I can but I don’t believe it would be proper. Not that I have anything against strategic voting just a small voice whispering in the back of my skull.
The General Election is a different story. Either Cthulhu or a vote for Lord Kelvin’s party. Yes, that Lord Kelvin.
June 22nd, 2008 at 9:31 pm
anonymouse - that’s just tacky…
June 23rd, 2008 at 5:35 pm
[...] Flashpoint: Court of Criminal Appeals - Candidates [...]
June 25th, 2008 at 4:03 pm
McLemore is *not* a sitting district judge. She lasted all of one term — ousted in the 2006 general election by former appellate judge Sharon Yates.