Tuesday, March 5, 2002
Page 6
EDITORIAL
Summary of Recommendations in Los Angeles Superior Court Races
Hank Goldberg
Los Angeles Superior Court Office No.
2
This prosecutor is bright and able. It is, however, a close call between him and private practitioner Joseph Deering Jr. who is also fully qualified for the Superior Court. A third candidate, Workers’ Compensation Administrative Law Judge Donald Renetzky, is running notwithstanding having been adjudged in a workers’ compensation proceeding last August to be totally disabled. Even aside from his physical limitations, we believe he is unfit for trial court service.
Richard Naranjo
Los Angeles Superior Court Office No.
39
In a field of three candidates whose qualifications are somewhat lacking, we believe
that Deputy District Attorney Richard Naranjo has an edge over fellow
prosecutor Craig Renetzky and law professor Larry H. Layton.
No Endorsement
Los Angeles Superior Court Office No.
40
Incumbent Floyd Baxter is either 1) a persistent liar, or 2) lacks the ability to get his facts straight. He is deficient in the skills necessary to perform the judicial function. Challenger Ross Stucker has run a virtual non-campaign and has not evidenced suitability for the office he seeks. We make no endorsement in this race.
Lauren Weis
Los Angeles Superior Court Office No.
53
Head Deputy District Attorney Lauren Weis is a top-notch attorney who would foreseeably be a top-notch judge. Attorney Richard Espinoza was unable to handle judicial duties as a commissioner—the Los Angeles Superior Court paid him a half year’s salary in exchange for his immediate resignation—and private practitioners H. Don Christian and Robert Harrison do not have credentials matching Weis’s.
Paul A. Bacigalupo
Los Angeles Superior Court Office No.
67
Paul A. Bacigalupo is well regarded as a State Bar Court judge. By virtue of intelligence and temperament, he would be well suited for the Superior Court bench. Los Angeles Superior Court Commissioner Steven Lubell and Deputy District Attorney David Gelfound are also worthy contenders. Attorney David Crawford III is the fourth candidate in the race.
C. Robert Simpson
Los Angeles Superior Court Office No.
90
C. Robert Simpson is a seasoned jurist with ideal temperament, a keen mind, and broad legal knowledge. His rival is an obscure and unaccomplished lawyer. This one is easy to call. We heartily endorse Simpson.
No Endorsement
Los Angeles Superior Court Office No.
100
The three candidates are private practitioner Thomas H. Warden, Workers’ Compensation Judge John C. Gutierrez, and Deputy District Attorney Richard F. Walmark. Warden is irresponsible. Gutierrez’s legal knowledge, outside the area of workers’ compensation, is deficient. Walmark lacks a sense of accountability. We cannot endorse any of them.
Copyright 2002, Metropolitan News Company