Friday, April 21, 2006
Page 3
Judicial Candidate Blasts Times for Not Endorsing Christians, Veterans
By a MetNews Staff Writer
Robert Davenport, a candidate for the Los Angeles Superior Court, has opened fire on the Los Angeles Times which on Monday endorsed his opponent, Deputy City Attorney Dan Lowenthal.
On the website of the League of Women Voters, Davenport, an inactive member of the State Bar, posted, under the category of “endorsements”:
“I was not endorsed by the Los Angeles Times. An examination of the endorsements, reveal that not a single Catholic, Christian, or veteran candidate was endorsed by the Los Angeles Times for judge.”
Davenport, whose ballot designation is slated to be “Disabled Veteran/Attorney,” is a Roman Catholic. Lowenthal is Jewish.
Robert Greene, the member of the Times’ Editorial Board who was in charge of the endorsements of judicial candidates, told the MetNews:
“The Los Angeles Times did not consider religion in examining or endorsing candidates nor did we consider previous or current status in the U.S. military.”
Greene, a former MetNews staff writer, said he has “no idea” if Davenport’s statement that no Christians or veterans were endorsed is accurate.
In addition to recommending the election of Lowenthal to Office No. 122, the Times endorsed Los Angeles Superior Court Commissioner Alan H. Friedenthal (Office No. 8), Deputy District Attorney Daviann Mitchell (Office No. 18), Deputy District Attorney Judith L. Meyer (Office No. 28), Deputy City Attorney Susan L. Lopez-Giss (Office No. 95), Deputy District Attorney Hayden Zacky (Office No. 102), Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Dzintra Janavs (Office No. 120), and Deputy District Attorney David W. Stuart (Office No. 144).
Meyer confirmed yesterday that the matters of religion and military service were not “discussed in any way, shape or form during my personal interview” with the Times, and commented that Greene “asked only appropriate questions.”
Davenport on Wednesday sent an e-mail to candidates in other judicial races saying:
“I’m doing a survey of the religions of those running for judge.
“Could you please tell me yours?”
It was apparently late Wednesday when Davenport posted his slap at the Times.
He also inserted these comments under the category of “Political Philosophy”:
“Los Angeles County is 40 percent Roman Catholic, and 95 percent Christain [sic], and yet these percentages are not reflected in the ethnic diversity of judges in the Los Angeles Superior Court. Judges are elected in California for a reason, and that reason is to reflect the ethnic diversity of the population of the state.
“In addition, Los Angeles has one of the largest veterans populations in the country, with 600,000 veterans, yet where is their representation on the bench?
“If you elect me, you help to increase the percentage of Roman Catholic, Christian, and Veteran balance of judges in Los Angeles County, to more accurately reflect the ethnic diversity of the county.”
Davenport previously posted a comment under “Top Priorities if Elected” that he was the “[o]nly Christian candidate for this office.” The League of Women Voters removed the comment as being violative of its guidelines.
Lowenthal said yesterday that he did seek the removal of that remark, but would not contest the current postings.
“I just don’t want to dignify [Davenport’s] absurd behavior,” he said.
Copyright 2006, Metropolitan News Company