Thursday, January 23, 2020

Two of the six Circuit Court appointees recently selected as Associate Judges will not appear on the March primary ballot

Newly selected Associate Judges Marina E. Ammendola and Fredrick H. Bates have withdrawn from the March primary according to the Illinois State Board of Elections.

Ammendola had been seeking the countywide K. Sheehan vacancy, the vacancy to which she'd been appointed by the Illinois Supreme Court. Bates had been seeking the 1st Subcircuit Brooks vacancy, the vacancy to which he'd been appointed.

Ammendola's withdrawal leaves three candidates for the K. Sheehan vacancy, Jill Rose Quinn, the Democratic Party's slated candidate and the first transgender judicial candidate in Illinois; James Samuel Worley, and Wendelin "Wendi" DeLoach. (The links are to candidate websites, where known. Worley's is newly added to the blog Sidebar.)

Bates' withdrawal leaves Krista D. Butler as the only Democratic candidate for the Brooks vacancy. Lisa D. Copland and former Judge Litricia Payne had filed for this vacancy, but both withdrew (Copland on December 12, Payne on January 6). No Republican filed for this vacancy, clearing the path for Butler's election in November.

Of the four new Associate Judges who did not withdraw from their Circuit Court races, Michael A. Forti is the only remaining candidate for the Gubin vacancy in the 8th Subcircuit.

Judge Celestia L. Mays gave up the countywide Funderburk vacancy to accept selection as an associate judge. But she was already slated by the Democratic Party for this vacancy, where she now faces three opponents, Jacqueline Marie Griffin, Daniel L. Collins, and Mary Therese Quinn. Again, links are to campaign websites, where known. The Collins website is newly added to the blog Sidebar. I don't have a website for Quinn, but she have a Facebook campaign page.

Judge Levander "Van" Smith, Jr. gave up the countywide Larsen vacancy to accept selection as an associate judge. But he, too, had been slated for this vacancy by the Cook County Democratic Party and he remains on the ballot in March. He faces two opponents, Suzanne Therese McEneely and Megan Kathleen Mulay. (Links are to campaign websites.)

Finally, Judge Daniel O. Tiernan had to relinquish his appointment to the Lacy vacancy in the 14th Subcircuit when he became an associate judge. He remains on the ballot, in an effort to recapture that spot, running against a single opponent, Perla Tirado. (Links here, too, are to candidate websites; Tirado's is newly added to the blog Sidebar.)

14 comments:

Anonymous said...

This is not a knock or a slight, just an observation.

Brooks, Derico and Smith will likely win their contests. It won't be a landslide, but they will win. Unlike Whiting (2018), Shoop (2016) or Hill (2012) all three have multiple female Irish (or Irish sounding surnames) opponents in their race. This will be Bill Rains (2014) and Preston Jones (2018) all over again. Tiesha Smith will also likely win for the same reason: too many Irish opponents and her name clearly identifies her as a black woman. Ironically, the less fortunate of the countywide African-Americans is appointed Judge Sheree Henry: too many women and an Irish guy with a nice strong Irish name. Henry was better off with former Judge Karkula skimming off some of the polish (and other white ethnic) votes in the 23rd and 10th wards (in addition to Berwyn, Cicero and Leyden) from the Irish. Oh well.

As for the Appellate Court races: Hyman will win. It will be close, but the same analysis applies -- 3 women splitting that female vote. As for the other race, contrary to popular belief, Sharon Johnson could very well pull this one off. It will be close, but she just might do it. Griffin is running a phenomenal campaign, but not every Irish person in the Southwest and Northwest side will be voting in the Democratic Primary -- they will be too busy voting for Trump in the Republican primary. And why vote for a man who says he "understands" when I can vote for a woman who "knows."

Look on the bright side, in 2022 we can all look forward to a re-match of O'Leary, Gallagher and Ramos. We can also expect Cynthia Cobbs (who will likely lose the Supreme Court race) to enter the fray in order to ensconce herself as an elected justice to the 1st District now that Justice Freeman has retired. I wouldn't be surprised if Kerrie Maloney-Layton were to throw her hat in the ring if she must run again in 2022. I mean, really, she is more qualified (objectively) for the APPELLATE court than any of the these current candidates. When she is asked, "how many appeals have you personally handled?" She can actually give you a count and cite the actual cases argued and briefed -- state and federal. I would hate to see her lose, but she has an Irish woman splitting that vote and these elections are NOT about qualifications. (Don't let any of the winning judges tell you otherwise)

Only 54 days left until the St. Patrick's Day Massacre. For all of you candidates pushing those shamrocks on your green and white literature, perhaps you should reconsider that color scheme unless you are running in 3 or 10. And remember, billboards are nice, but they don't vote.


Finally, Congratulations Circuit-Associate-Circuit Judge-Elect (Sort of) Mike Forti! For those of you whispering "he got lucky" behind his back, sure, he did get lucky. In this game, luck is better than qualifications 9 times out of 10. He also was very unlucky in 2012, 2014 and 2018. He put in the time, the money and the heartache. So good for him. For all of the other Fortis out there, don't give up, don't give in and don't give your opponents the satisfaction of quitting.


Rumpelstiltsken

Anonymous said...

Rumpelstiltsken's "analysis" is more wishful thinking than analysis. But ok, I'll bite. What s/he ignores is that there are a bunch of "recently" elected female judges from the 2014 and 2016 cycles who have that newbie belief that they are unbeatable after winning a single election. Gallagher is doing it this cycle because, let's face it, she got on the bench later in life and needs to act fast if she ever wants to get out of probate.

Perhaps not all of them think that they are unbeatable, but some do. I am merely recognizing an occupational hazard of judges elected on the first-try. Their rapid ascensions to fancy assignments such as the Law or Chancery Divisions clearly indicates that they are being groomed for higher office. Don't be too surprised if O'Brien-Sheehan, Loftus, Eve Reilly or Alison Conlon make a go at the appellate court in 2022. They have all been seen making the rounds at the Appellate Judges Association, so you know that they are eyeing the next move. But with all of these women, it would make for a wonderful opportunity for a strong male candidate to employ the "divide and conquer" method. Anyone interested? Because pundits do this for President, let's try something new for the appellate court, let's recognize potential candidates who are likely to throw down next cycle:

Female Candidates
Pre-2010: Krystina Ryan, Maureen Ward Kirby, Margaret Brennan, Mary Mikva
2014: Fredrena Lyle, Patti O'Brien-Sheehan, Maritza Martinez, Bridget Mitchell
2016: Eve Reilly, Anna Loftus, Alison Conlon, Rosanna Fernandez, Maureen O'Donaghue Hannon
2018: Rosa Silva, Tiana Ellis-Blakely
2020: Kerrie Maloney-Laytin (the only person OBJECTIVELY qualified to run based on the existing judicial candidates given her extensive appellate background)

Male Candidates

2010: Bill Hooks
2014: Bill Raines
2016: John Lyke, Brendan O'Brien, Matthew Link
2018: Jack Hagerty, Preston Jones, Tom McGuire, Tom Sianis
Associate Judges: Jim Snyder, Bill Boyd


Candidly, if everyone piles in, then Mary Mikva should run because she can get all of the endorsements and can eek out the necessary 20% to win the race. She is one candidate that both Toni and Lori and Rahm can agree on. But watch out EOB, if Mary Mikva wins, she is going for the Supreme Court next. I mean, for goodness sake, she is objectively the most qualified.

And by the way, welcome back Jack!

Rogue One

Anonymous said...

The Cook County Chapter of the National Organization of Women need to convene an emergency meeting to address how the historic success of female opponents has created a deluge of female judicial candidates who are splitting the vote and causing a reversal in the trend. I mean, OMG, multiple black men might actually beat Irish female opponents this cycle. Who would have ever thunk that possible?

On behalf of the Cook County Chapter of Manpower, thank you.

"We Can Do It!"

Anonymous said...

Hey guys, I don't care about the supreme or appellate courts. If I win, I would gladly hunker down in Traffic Court for 20 years, aspiring to nothing, and leaving everyday at 2:00 earning the same money that those arrogant "brethren" earn upstairs in Chancery or Law Division. I just need/want to know if we can get all of the Irish women from this cycle to ALL run against each other in a SINGLE race next cycle. My name is "Iqbal Twombly." I am proud of my name and I refuse to change it. So I must insist that they all pile into the same contest (mine) so that I can win. Thank you!

Jack Leyhane said...

In case anyone was wondering, there is no "Iqbal Twombly" licensed to practice law in Illinois....

Anonymous said...

Uhmmmm. Jack, "Iqbal-Twombly" are two famous U.S. Supreme Court cases that discuss the "plausibility" standard that Plaintiffs must satisfy to survive a motion to dismiss in federal court. But yes, it would also make for an exceptionally bad ballot name.

Anonymous said...

I Am Iqbal Twombly!
No, I am Iqbal Twombly!
I Am Iqbal Twombly!

Anonymous said...

I think anyone interested in running for judge should just circulate for governor. Get your name on the ballot. Then when J.B. Pritzker tries to knock you off the ballot, just cut a deal for campaign financing for your judicial election and then run in a late-breaking. Youre welceome. My name? Iqbal Twombly.

Sorry, Jack. But you started something here.

Anonymous said...

The problem with you Jack is you do ALL of the work for so many of these lazy readers. Let them look up whether there is or is not an "Iqbal Twombly." By the way, you appear to be passing up on the BIG news that appointed judge Cara Lafevour Smith has withdrawn from the 7th Subcircuit race. Hunker down Conway! All of these jive turkey elected officials don't get out the vote. And Ike Carrothers is just a federally-convicted hustler trying to separate dumb candidates from their money.

Anonymous said...

From henceforth I shall sign all petitions “Iqbal Twmbly.” It’s not like Rod or Jet would know or care.

Anonymous said...

IQBAL & TWOMBLY ARE THE BIG CASES FOR WHAT IS SUFFICIENT UNDER FEDERAL NOTICE PLEADING TO SURVIVE A 12B6 MOTION TO DISMISS.

ILLINOIS IS FACT PLEADING SO IF YOU'RE NOT IN FEDERAL COURT YOU WON'T BE CITING THESE CASES

Anonymous said...

Sorry to disappoint Rogue One, but Judge Carolyn Gallagher is invincible. She already has he billboards all up and down Western Avenue. Oh wait. That’s glennon. No wait, it’s ryan. No wait, it’s McBride. No wait, it’s Kent. Oh wait, perhaps the Voters will finally get wise to McJudgegate and not vote for any of you. I mean, that’s what Sandy and Sharon are banking on. See all of you gals next season. You too Carolyn. Enjoyed the Injustice Watch letter.

Anonymous said...

Did Tiernan stay in so that the Latina can whoop his ass and scare the white boys out of 14 the same way that Beatriz did Ahern in 2012 in 6? That's what Chevere is claiming.

Anonymous said...

Ok, back to the actual topic of this post, Bates should have sat down and shut up once he won associate. For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. Amendola did the right thing. Bates didn’t. Tiernan? Like the other post said, it’s the worst kept secret that he was given permission to run so his miserable defeat will be a shining example to you all. Si se puede! And 2023 is right around the corner.