Tuesday, January 27, 2004
Page 3
Referee Wins ‘Well Qualified’ Rating in Judicial Race
By a MetNews Staff Writer
Superior Court Referee D. Zeke Zeidler, one of six candidates for the Los Angeles Superior Court seat occupied by Judge Rosemary Shumsky, has been rated “well qualified” by a county bar panel.
Zeidler is the second candidate in his race to publicly announce his rating. Deputy District Attorney Craig Mitchell revealed last week that he has been rated “well qualified.”
Three other candidates in the race said they have not yet received notice of their ratings. Shumsky is not running for reelection.
A candidate for another judicial office said yesterday he is appealing a tentative rating, but declined to reveal what the rating is.
Deputy District Attorney Daniel Feldstern, one of four candidates for the seat being vacated by Judge Marcus Tucker, said he will appear before the full Judicial Elections Evaluation Committee of the Los Angeles County Bar Association Feb. 5.
Tentative ratings are based on evaluation by a subcommittee. A candidate who receives a rating of “qualified” or “not qualified” can seek review by the full committee.
Feldstern referred to his rating as “still in progress” and declined to specify whether it was “qualified” or “not qualified,” adding:
“Since it may change, I would feel more comfortable waiting until the committee makes a final decision.”
One of Feldstern’s opponents, Deputy District Attorney Pat Campbell, is appealing a “qualified” rating. Also running in that race are Deputy City Attorney Miguel A. Dager and Superior Court Referee Mildred Escobedo.
Escobedo said last week her interview with the county bar panel is scheduled for this evening. Dager said he has not yet received his rating.
The race for Shumsky’s seat is one of two in which there are six candidates running. Deputy District Attorney David Lopez, Deputy Attorney General Robert Henry and Torrance attorney Michael Shook said yesterday they have not yet heard from the county bar panel.
Lopez said he had been advised that his rating was mailed Thursday or Friday, but added he has not received it.
Deputy District Attorney Craig Renetzky is also running for Shumsky’s seat.
Zeidler is the fifth candidate to publicly claim the bar group’s highest rating, joining Mitchell, Deputy District Attorneys Judith L. Meyer and Laura Priver, and Judge David Wesley.
Meyer is one of five candidates running to succeed Judge James Wright. Wesley faces three challengers in his bid to retain his seat, while Priver and two others are seeking to replace Judge Nancy Brown.
There are 36 candidates in nine judicial races on the March 2 primary ballot. Four incumbent judges are being challenged and 24 candidates are competing for five open seats.
Copyright 2004, Metropolitan News Company