He has questioned the impartiality of two Howard County Circuit Court judges throughout his campaign. But challenger David Titman?s main campaign theme of refusing contributions from lawyers hasn?t stuck a chord with two Howard County associations.
Sitting Judges Richard Bernhardt, a Republican, and Louis Becker, a Democrat, picked up endorsements from the Howard County Police Officers? Association on Wednesday and the Columbia Democratic Club on Thursday.
The endorsements are evidence that Titman?s message is not gaining traction with voters, said Betty Adams, chairwoman of the sitting judges? campaign.
“Thesitting judges? message of experience, dedication and qualification is resonating with the people,” she said.
Daniel Besseck, police union secretary, said the officers voted for sitting judges based on their history.
“We?ve known Becker from District Court,” he said. “And most of the older officers are familiar with Bernhardt from his public defender days.”
Besseck said he and other officers didn?t consider the political contributions issue significant.
“We firmly believe the judges are going to give impartial rulings,” he said. “Attorneys, like everybody else, want good solid people in those positions.”
But Titman, a Republican who has gained the Libertarian nomination for one of the seats, said the practice of sitting judges accepting contributions from attorneys gives the appearance of partiality, and endorsements can call into question a person?s fairness.
“I think the endorsements are more of a popularity contest than a reflection of a campaign?s viability,” Titman said.
A Howard County Circuit Court judge was last unseated in 1996, when then-District Court Judge Lenore Gelfman beat out Circuit Court Judge Donna Hill Staton in a contentious election.
Because of his Libertarian nomination, Titman will have two chances ? both the primary and the general elections ? to take a seat.
DID YOU KNOW?
» A 2002 national study conducted by Greenberg Quinlan Rosner Research showed that 76 percent of voters and 26 percent of state judges said campaign contributions made to judges have at least some influence on their decisions.
