The Judges are Coming: Endorsements

It is no secret that I am a lifelong Democrat. Therefore, it should be a not surprise that I plan to vote for Democrats.  Let’s be clear, I support the entire Shelby County Democratic ballot with the exception of a few races.  But, those that I endorse in that exception category are Democrats.  We have over 60 positions on the ballot, our County's longest ballot in history. 

I encourage my friends to get an Official Shelby County Democratic Party Ballot. If, our Chairman, Bryan Carson, picture is not on that ballot, put it down!  Unless, you have confidence in the person who developed that list of candidates for you to support, don't risk making bad choices.  I am using the Official Shelby County Democratic Party Ballot with the exception of a few races. Why, because I trust my research on some of these candidates.  I know politics and the political landscape.  And I am sharing that knowledge with you.  But, who you choose to vote for is still your decision.  

 It troubles me when politicians tell a "lie" to get elected.  But it is downright scary when a Judge or someone who wants to be a Judge tells a "lie" to get elected.  The Shelby County Democratic Party examined the voting records of all the candidates and discovered the Judge Lee Coffee and Atty. James Johnson, Jr. have consistently voted Republican.  Although, they told the committee they are Democrats, the voting records show us something differently.  If your actions don't prove the truth of your words, then your words are nothing more than lies.

I am making a decision based upon their actions.   These judge positions are important to me because it is Party's best opportunity to build our bench for possible candidates for the State Supreme Court, appointed Federal Judgeship, and the United States Supreme Court. Remember, it all started for Judge Bernice Donald at the General Session Court in Shelby County. I pray in my lifetime to see her sworn in as a Supreme Court Justice. 

If we make mistakes with republicans claiming to be democrats we give them a chance to duplicate a Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas under the democratic label. We should not risk them advancing with our endorsement when their national and world views on issues are not based upon democratic principles.

So, please vote for Criminal Court Judge Division 7 -  Attorney Kenya Brooks  and General Session Judge Criminal Division 7 - Bill Anderson

 

 Vote for Shelia Bruce-Renfroe General Session Judge Division 1

Our local party endorsed Atty. Shelia Bruce-Renfroe.  However, some Democrats are supporting Judge Lynn Cobb, who has a strong republican record. I have some awful stories about his courtroom demeanor and decorum.  Even the seats of power need to always show courtesy and respect for the citizens before them.

Vote for Kim Gilmore Sims

I have always admired the work of Judge Larry Potter in the Environmental Court.  But lately, his reputation for swearing out warrants for traffic violations are too much for me.  I am aware not only of the Chairman of our Party's situation,  but another woman told me her story.  She had death in her family, traveled to help her parent and forgot about the ticket.  After getting home from being on the road for over a month, she thought about the ticket and went to a municipal city hall to pay. She was told that she could not pay, nor leave because there was a warrant for her arrest. For a non-moving violation and a $50 ticket. She had to be processed and pay $400 because she was being arrested.

This is crazy and a total waste of public resources.  After asking questions, I discovered he is the only Judge in our Shelby County system that practices this tactic for municipalities outside of Memphis. This is an unusual way of capturing additional dollars and it stinks to me. Attorney Kim Gilmore Sims is the democratic choice.  She understands this community and is a Memphis born and graduate of Memphis Catholic High.  As a Vanderbilt educated attorney, she knows the law and currently works on issues related to blight.  I am giving new energy a chance.  Just by voting for her, we stop this practice.

Finally, two candidates who will be bright stars in judicial seats are State Senate Jim Kyle and City Court Judge Tarik Sugarmon.

Senator Jim Kyle has served in the Tennessee General Assembly since 1983 drafting and passing the laws that govern our state.  To have someone with the level of knowledge and expertise to now interpret and administer rule of law as a Chancellor is a major benefit for citizens appearing before him and our community.  I am excited about what his candidacy offers to the Chancery Court.  This Court handles action between partners, breach of contract, enforcement of liens, actions resulting from fraud, actions to remove clouds, actions resulting from trusts, legal disputes in government, workman’s comp, and removal of public officers. 

Now, you why I am excited about Senator Kyle winning this seat. My only advice for him is to watch his temperament. He understands this joke.

 Often, while in the General Assembly he is very passionate for democratic issues on education,voting rights, health care and the fair distribution of resources.   Gale and I often laugh about the day he said to his colleagues, "Help me out here! Am I the only Black legislator in the Chamber?"  Of course, he was not, but others felt so good about the fact that he spoke eloquently about a community that he loves and understands. That’s why I am excited.  Go Jim, Go!

City Court Judge Tarik Sugarmon's race gives me hope and makes me feel a sense of unique pride.  We have had one regime for over seven decades running the Shelby County Juvenile Justice System.  I am not saying it has not managed efficiently.  I am questioning if it has been effective in administering juvenile justice fairly. I cannot trust this system to protect the rights of children and the work with hope that their lives can be transformed.  The U.S. Department of Justice's report outlined troubling practices and two systems for one Shelby.  

The Midtown Republican, a blogger, reported an account of a meeting she attended regarding the Dept Of Justice's Improvement Plan. Judge Dan Michael's response to the Department of Justice report. 

When I read his comments, I was disappointed.  I thought Juvenile Court accepted the Dept of Justice's findings because they acknowledged the truth and wanted to have a better court.  But, his remarks led me to believe that he just wanted the DOJ to go away.  His remarks were defensive and a reflection of our past, not hope for our future.  We should demand the change in the culture of that Court.  Only Judge Sugarmon can bring us hat change.  

Here are Michael's remarks:  "They were criticized for not having medical facilities, but “we had medical plus psychological people on staff since 1965. Now we have a $1.3 million contract for psychological staff and nurses as if what we were doing was not good enough.” They were criticized for suicide prevention when “we didn’t have one suicide in 30 years.”

As for decisions being racially motivated, Michael stated that the DOJ did not want to take a look at simple demographics. We have a large African American population here. They were using a D.C. formula not appropriate to us. “I’m a strong critic of the federal program of the deinstitutionalizing of minority confinement,” Michael said. “They said we were violating equal protection, but what about the 98% of Americans who don’t engage in criminal activity?”

Michael said Juvenile Court decided not to fight the ruling. “We were persuaded to a memorandum of understanding. We found out later the DOJ really didn’t think they had a case.” Nevertheless, they are having to proceed.

“We can’t lock our way out of the problem (of juveniles committing crimes). I can’t fix everything. We’re a court, not a social service. I just try to take it one child at a time.” 

The candidacy of Judge Tarik Sugarmon is long overdue.  Don’t be fooled by Michael's glossy television ads with paid consultants remaking his message.  We need this change in that seat if our community is serious about improving public safety.  Sugarmon is a brand in Memphis. That brand that  represents excellence in law, fairness in social justice, civil rights, and character. Yes, I will be most happy about this change because it is so long overdue.

When you start naming people it is difficult because you cannot name everybody but you know that I truly love and support the reelection of Judge Gwen Rooks, Judge Gina Higgins, and Judge Betty Moore.  There are community treasures who we see not only during an election season, but all year long and involved in civic activities.  Reward their hard work with your votes. 

I will support Venita Martin-Andrews for Circuit Court Division 8 and Damita Dandridge for Probate Court Judge Division 1.  Both are good candidates.  I must add that the current Probate Court Judge Kathy Gomes is also a good Democrat and has served honorably since her appointment.  In Probate Court Division 1, Democrats can't lose.

Now, I must be honest, I am concerned about the research that the CA printed about the background of some of these attorneys and judges. It appears that State Law should protect the citizens from people running whose ethical conducts are questionable as determined by the State Board of Professional Responsibility. As a lay citizen, I don't know a lot about the work background of these candidates and few of us have the time to observe them in the courtrooms.  We rely on what they tell us and what others may say about them.  The local newspaper does not have the staff to observe the courtrooms. There is not a local publication that give us an analysis of how many cases are handled, the backlog for the court, and if it runs efficiently. There is no a publication that watches and records courtroom activity. And, when we have 40 judicial seats on a ballot for an average voter this is a maze that could render us some sorry results. But, the ones I mentioned you will feel good about.

The Commercial Appeal reported: "The newspaper reviewed arrest histories, court files, tax records, attorney disciplinary actions and other documents and found most candidates had clean records. But records revealed an assortment of problems for 11 candidates: disciplinary actions, multiple bankruptcies, arrests, unpaid taxes and other issues.  Go to their website and read that article.

Whew, there are too many judges running at one time. Sorry, this is so long but we have 40 Judge Positions on the ballot.  But, I hope this helps. The other races are on Saturday or Sunday.