Challenger David Titman used the only televised debate among the three candidates for two Howard County Circuit Court judgeships to accuse Judges Louis Becker and Richard Bernhardt of the appearance of impropriety.
“Ninety-nine percent of people get visibly upset when I tell them about the special-interest money pouring into my opponents? campaign,” Titman said at Tuesday?s League of Women Voters forum in Ellicott City.
“… Think about this for a moment: You?re standing up before one of these judges and on the other side is an assistant state?sattorney who?s given money and you?ve given nothing. Think about it.”
Campaign finance reports filed last week show Becker and Bernhardt have 10 times more money than Titman. Their campaign has a total of $32,087 in its coffers, while Titman has $3,314 on hand.
Titman said more than 70 percent of the judges? contributions come from attorneys, which he considers inappropriate.
Becker said the contributions are evidence that area lawyers believe he and Bernhardt are good judges.
“We look at it as a badge of honor,” he said. “… It?s like the doctors in the hospital knowing who the good surgeons are.”
Bernhardt said Titman initially sought contributions from attorneys, but changed his mind after his attempts were rebuffed.
“He was very aggressive in seeking the financial support of the legal community and apparently has taken his position on this issue when it was not there to be found,” he said.
Titman, the Libertarian Party?s nominee ? which means even if he finishes third in the September primary, he can run in November?s general election ? called Bernhardt?s statements untrue.
The Libertarians “nominated me because I have the courage to say, ?I?m not going to take special interest money,?” he said.
The three men also clashed on whether the Howard County Circuit Court should create specialty courts to treat addicts.
