As a prosecutor, when I meet with a victim who has been strangled by her boyfriend, I don’t ask her whether she leans Democrat or Republican. When I make a plea offer to a defendant charged with burglary, I don’t check into his political positions. When I speak to prospective jurors at a child molesting trial, I don’t quiz them about who they voted for in the last election.
Our criminal justice system depends upon impartial courts that treat people equally under the law. That’s why “Lady Justice” is pictured with a blindfold. She doesn’t see people with “D”s or “R”s after their names. Neither do I.
In Indiana, judicial candidates typically run under one of the two major parties. I’m proud to be the Republican candidate for Dubois Circuit Court Judge. But as I’ve spoken to voters, I’ve come to believe that most Dubois County Democrats want the same thing as I do – they want to see violent offenders, career criminals, and those who harm children held accountable within the confines of the law.
If you want a judge who is committed to justice, a judge who is willing to impose the real consequences that justice sometimes demands, then we have something important in common – regardless of political party.