Smart Voter
State of California (Fresno, Kern, Kings, Madera, Mariposa, Merced, Stanislaus, Tulare, Tuolumne Counties) November 3, 1998 General

Justice, California State Court of Appeal; District 5

Candidates (Vote Yes or No for Each)
Click on a candidate name for more information.

Becky Wiseman 334,709 votes 75.5%

  • Occupation: Associate Justice
  • Appellate court judge since 1995
  • Trial court judge for 10 years
  • Outstanding Jurist for 1997, Kern County
  • Top ten professional women, Fresno Co.
  • Legal educator
  • Former prosecutor
Priorities:
  • Interpret the law fairly for San Joaquin Valley residents
  • Provide public outreach to San Joaquin Valley citizens
  • Aid regional communication between Valley trial courts
Jim Ardaiz 332,970 votes 74.6%
  • Party: Republican
  • Occupation: Presiding Justice
  • 1974 J.D. University of Cal. Hastings
  • 1970 B.A. Cal State Univesity, Fresno
  • 1974-80 District Attorney' Office,Fresnoo
  • 1980-88 Municipal and Superior Court
  • 1988 appointed Associate Justice 5th DCA
  • 1994 appointed Presiding Justice 5th DCA
Priorities:
  • increase ability of court to process cases
  • provide greater community education and outreach
  • provide trial courts with budget and operational education
Bert Levy 332,854 votes 75.4%
  • Occupation: Associate Justice
  • Superior Court Judge, 1989-1997
  • Presiding Judge, Family Law Dept. 1990-1996
  • Municipal Court Judge, 1988-1989
  • Private Law Practice, 1977-1988
  • Graduate, UOP McGeorge School of Law, 1977
  • Graduate, UC Davis, magna cum laude, 1974
Priorities:
  • Ensuring that the appellate court operates fairly, efficiently, and effectively
  • Providing clear and concise opinions that are easily understandable
  • Upholding the rule of law as set forth by the Constitution, the legislature, and the voters
Steve Vartabedian 316,280 votes 72.2%
  • Occupation: Associate Justice since 1989
  • Superior Court Judge, 1987-1989
  • Municipal Court Judge, 1983-1987
  • Justice Court Judge, 1981-1983
  • Former Partner, Vartabedian & Poochigian
  • Former Lecturer, Business Law, CSU-Fresno
  • JD-magna cum laude, Santa Clara Univ.
Priorities:
  • Adherence to the rule of law
  • Demystify any public misapprehension about the appellate process
  • Efficient yet personal attention to cases

Basic candidate data supplied by the County elections official. Any additional information supplied by the candidate. Order of candidates is random and changes daily.
  Official Information

Secretary of State

Calif. Court System Nonpartisan Information

Cal Law Judicial Election Guide

  • Profiles of judges - age, previous experience, legal education, notable recent opinions, a short narrative about what sets each apart, political contributions by the judges.
  • About the Profiles
League of Women Voters
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Created: February 16, 1999 18:42
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