Candidates
(Vote Yes or No for Each)
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name for additional information supplied by candidate.
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Patricia D. Benke
1,015,749 /
75.2% Yes votes ......
335,620 /
24.8% No votes
- Occupation: Associate Justice
- J.D. University of San Diego School of Law (1974); B.A. California State University, San Diego (1971) Graduated with Highest Honors
- Appointed Associate Justice in 1987 (rated exceptionally well-qualified); confirmed twice by the voters in 1987 and 1990, and reconfirmed in 1994
- Associate Justice, Court of Appeal, 1987- present; Judge, San Diego Superior Court, 1985-1987; Judge, San Diego Municipal Court, 1983-1985
- Deputy Attorney General, Criminal Division, California Attorney General's Office 1974-1983; state president, Association of Deputy Attorneys General
- Appointed to state advisory committees including the Judicial Council for the State of California and Blue Ribbon Committee on Probation and Parole
- Lecturer in criminal & civil law, University of San Diego, Cal Western and Thomas Jefferson Law Schools; UCSD and National University
Priorities:
- To decide cases fairly, impartially and expeditiously according to the law of the State of California and the Constitution of the United States
- Provide a thorough and vigorous review of each case that comes before me
- Seek to improve ethical standards within the legal profession
Judith McConnell
1,014,898 /
73.5% Yes votes ......
366,347 /
26.5% No votes
- Occupation: Presiding Justice
- B.A. University of California, Berkeley; J.D. from U.C. Boalt Hall School of Law
- Presiding Justice 2003-2006; Assoc. Justice 2001-2003; Superior Court of San Diego County 1980-2001; Municipal Court, 1978-1980
- Elected twice as Presiding Judge of the Superior Court
- Named Jurist of the Year by the State Judicial Council and other organizations
- Elected by the Supreme Court to serve on the Commission on Judicial Performance, the judicial disciplinary agency
- Ranked exceptionally well qualified for the position of Presiding Justice by the Commission on Judicial Nominees Evaluation
Priorities:
- Decide legal disputes according to the constitution, the law, and legal precedent
- Ensure that cases are resolved in an expeditious and appropriate manner
- Work to improve the court system in California
Richard D. Huffman
993,752 /
74.3% Yes votes ......
344,449 /
25.7% No votes
- Occupation: Associate Justice
- J.D. , 1965, University of Southern California
- A.B., 1961, California State College, Long Beach
- 1985-1988, Judge, Superior Court, County of San Diego
- Member of California Judicial Council since 1997, currently chair of the Executive & Planning Committee
- Member of California Blue Ribbon Commission on Children in Foster Care
- Assistant District Attorney (1981-1985) and Chief Deputy District Attorney (1971-1981), County of San Diego
Priorities:
- Work to improve the court system and ensure the protection of abused and neglected children and children in foster care
- Ensure that persons coming before the courts are treated fairly and the rights of individuals are protected
- Carefully review and research each case and faithfully apply the laws of the State of California and the Constitution of the United States
Judith L. Haller
993,223 /
74.5% Yes votes ......
340,077 /
25.5% No votes
- Occupation: Associate Justice
- B.A., UCLA (Summa Cum Laude and Phi Beta Kappa); M.A., San Diego State University; J.D., California Western School of Law
- Associate Justice, Court of Appeal, 1994-present; Judge, San Diego Superior Court, 1989-1994
- Deputy District Attorney, 1976-1979; Litigation associate and partner in private civil practice, 1979-1989
- Recipient of outstanding jurist awards (Bernard E. Witkin and California Women Lawyers)
- Judicial Ethics Committee Chair, 2002-2003, California Judges Association
- Rated exceptionally well qualified for appointment to the Court of Appeal by the Commission on Judicial Nominees Evaluation
Priorities:
- Provide equal justice to all and decide each person's case fairly, impartially, and expeditiously
- Faithfully follow the law and the constitution when resolving cases
- Rigorously comply with a judge's legal and ethical obligations
Cynthia G. Aaron
945,338 /
71.1% Yes votes ......
383,657 /
28.9% No votes
- Occupation: Associate Justice
- J.D. Harvard Law School, cum laude; B.A. Stanford University, with distinction and departmental honors
- United States Magistrate Judge, U.S. District Court, Southern District of California 1994 - 2003
- Served as Adjunct Professor of Law, University of San Diego School of Law and California Western School of Law
- Appointed to the California State - Federal Judicial Council and to the Appellate Advisory Committee of the Judicial Council by the Chief Justice
- Past President of the San Diego County Judges Association
- Rated "exceptionally well qualified" for appointment to the Court of Appeal by the Commission on Judicial Nominees Evaluation of the State Bar
Priorities:
- To decide each case fairly and impartially, in accordance with the constitution and laws of the State of California and the United States
- To provide every person who appears in the Court of Appeal a full and fair hearing
- To work to improve the administration of justice in the California courts
Joan K. Irion
921,845 /
69.7% Yes votes ......
400,033 /
30.3% No votes
- Occupation: Associate Justice
- B.A., UC Davis, 1974 with high honors; M.P.A., San Diego State University, 1976 with highest honors; J.D., UC Davis Law School, 1979
- Associate Justice, 2003-2006; Judge, Superior Court, San Diego County, 2001-2003; law firm member and managing partner, 1979-2000
- Vice-Chair, Judicial Council, Judicial Services Advisory Committee, 2005-2006; Officer, National Association of Women Judges, 2004-Present
- Lecturer judicial ethics and education courses; Adjunct Professor or lecturer at numerous law schools, including University of San Diego
- Rated "exceptionally well-qualified" for Associate Justice by Commission on Judicial Nominees Evaluation
- Unanimously confirmed as Associate Justice at public hearing
Priorities:
- To faithfully adhere to the United States and California Constitutions and laws
- To assure a process that is fair, expeditious and respects the dignity of all parties
- To preserve and promote judicial ethics and integrity
Basic candidate data supplied by the Secretary of State.
All candidates have been invited to supply additional information to Smart Voter.
Order of candidates is random and changes daily.
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