Candidate for
Superior Court Judge; County of El Dorado; Office 6

I am running for Superior Court Judge in El Dorado County, Office 6. Judge Smith is currently in that office and will be retiring at the end of his term. Judge Smith says that I am the right choice to replace him on the bench and has endorsed my candidacy.

All the currently seated El Dorado County Superior Court Judges endorsing in this race have endorsed my candidacy: Judge Thomas Smith, Judge Gregory Haas, Judge Eddie Keller and Judge Jerald Lasarow. I have also been endorsed by Judge David Richmond, Judge Loretta Murphy Begen and Judge Thomas Maddock.

I have been endorsed by numerous law enforcement organizations, including the Deputy Sheriffs Association of El Dorado County, Placerville Police Officers Association, Placerville California Highway Patrol Squad Association and El Dorado County Correctional Officers Bargaining Unit.

I have also been endorsed by Crime Victims United of California and numerous local community leaders, including Rusty Dupray, El Dorado County Supervisor, District 1; Gary Lacy, El Dorado County District Attorney; Joe Harn, El Dorado County Auditor/Controller; Bob Edwards, El Dorado County Office of Education; Bob Ferguson, School Superintendent; Sherry Smith, School Superintendent; Tom Gemma, Oakridge High School Principal, and many others as shown on the detailed endorsement list on this website.

I have been a prosecutor for more than ten years, more than eight of those years in El Dorado County. I am currently serving the county as Assistant District Attorney. I also have substantial civil litigation, juvenile and appellate experience. Before attending law school, I served as a police officer in Oklahoma City for four years.

I have a B.A. in history, cum laude, from Central State University in Oklahoma. I attended the police academy in Oklahoma City and graduated at the top of my class. My juris doctorate is from the University of Oklahoma School of Law. My law school classes included a semester at Oxford University, Queen's College. I received an American Jurisprudence Award for International Law during law school.

I have served the citizens of El Dorado County for more than eight years in the District Attorney's Office, and I ask for your vote to continue serving you as your Superior Court Judge.

Because criminal matters consume a large part of the court's limited resources, it is crucial that you elect a judge with the experience necessary to enforce California's complex criminal laws. I have that experience, as well as the experience to handle complex civil matters.

I have a strong and enduring commitment to protecting the public safety and well being of our community. I will be the kind of judge you deserve and expect. I will conduct my courtroom with patience, courtesy and respect. I will listen carefully and decide deliberately. I will be fair and impartial. I will be tough on crime and sensitive to the needs and concerns of crime victims.

My wife, Mary, and I have been married for 26 years and believe El Dorado County is a beautiful and unique place to live and work. I am an active member of the El Dorado Hills Rotary and a past board member.

I have served as a Teen Court Judge and Mentor and member of the El Dorado County School Attendance Review Board, Domestic Violence Coordinating Council, Child Death Review Team and Gang Task Force.

I ask for your vote for judge on November 5th. I will be the kind of judge you deserve and expect--tough on crime, fair and honest.