Kentucky Supreme Court elections

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Kentucky Supreme Court
Sitting justices
Bill Cunningham
John Minton
Lisabeth Hughes Abramson
Mary Noble
Wil Schroder
Will Scott
Daniel Venters
Former justices
Kentucky on Judgepedia

Contents

One seat on the Kentucky Supreme Court was up for grabs in 2008 as recently appointed justice Lisabeth Hughes Abramson faced challenger Jim Shake in a race decided on November 4, 2008. With 55% of the vote, Abramson held off a challenge from Shake to retain her Supreme Court seat.[1] Abramson will now serve an eight-year term on the Court.

While Justice Abramson and challenger Shake campaigned, two Kentucky Supreme Court candidates cruised uncontested into election day: Justices Venters and Noble.

History

The two candidates, Abramson and Shake, were previously pitted against each other in September 2007 when they both openly sought a gubernatorial appointment to the Kentucky Supreme Court for the seat that became open when Justice William E. McAnulty, Jr. resigned.[2]. Abramson ultimately received the appointment.

Candidates at a Louisville forum; October 22, 2008
Candidates at a Louisville forum; October 22, 2008

Courier-Journal interview

Both candidates fielded questions from the paper's editorial board on October 7th. Topics covered ranged from: minority jury representation, juvenile courts, why they've both decided to run on platforms that highlight their experience, what makes them the most qualified, and their community involvement.

For the footage, see here. (Note: footage is somewhat hit-or-miss.)

(The paper has endorsed both candidates at one time or another.)

October 22 forum

The Louisville Lawyers' Chapter of the Federalist Society for Law and Public Policy Studies is hosting a candidates forum for Abramson and Shake on Wednesday, October 22 in Louisville. University of Kentucky law professor Paul Salamanca will moderate the panel.[3]

Louisville Bar Association rankings

744 members of the Louisville Bar Association rated the two candidates, responding for each candidate either "highly qualified", "qualified", "unqualified", "do not know" or "not rated".[4],[5]

Candidate Highly qualified Qualified Not qualified Do not know Not rated
Lisabeth Hughes Abramson 65.7% 18.3% 2.2% 8.6% 5.2%
Jim Shake 58.7% 28.6% 2.6% 5.5% 4.6%

Endorsements

Abramson has received endorsements from the Teamsters Local Union 89, the Jefferson County Teachers Association, and Citizens for Better Judges[6]

Courier-Journal editorial

On October 12, 2008 the Courier-Journal endorsed Justice Abramson, but said Judge Shake would do an excellent job as well; the editorial asserts that Abramson has the proper balance of cerebral talent and compassion that makes for good justice.[7]

A vote for either is a good vote. No matter who wins, the community will be well served.

See also

External links

References

  1. ↑ Abramson retains Supreme Court seat
  2. ↑ Shake, Abramson seek High Court Seat
  3. ↑ Musings of a Bluegrass Barrister, "Mark your calendars", September 20, 2008
  4. ↑ Kentucky Bar Association 2008 judicial candidate poll results
  5. ↑ Know a judge, ask an attorney, September 24, 2008
  6. ↑ Abramson's Endorsements
  7. ↑ Retain Justice Abramson
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Partisan and non-partisan elections of state Supreme Court justices
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