By all accounts, the three Ellicott City men running for two Howard County Circuit Court judgeships in the 2006 election are qualified.
Between them, they have almost a century of legal experience. They have held positions of Howard County District Court judge, assistant attorney general and assistant U.S. attorney, respectively. Each carries himself as a model of calm, even-handed temperament.
So, on Thursday night, when voters attended a candidates? forum at the East Columbia Library sponsored by local political activist group Restore US.org, they did so in hopes of distinguishing between the men.
“For me, it was a great experience,” said Karen Blue, owner of Columbia?s Blue Cow Cafe, who was in the audience during the judges? portion of the forum, which also featured candidates for the Howard County Council.
“People have the impression that judges are unapproachable. I got a lot out of hearing them talk. It helped me make up my mind.”
Throughout the night, the men agreed on many issues.
In the end, voters may be forced to decide between them based on a couple simple questions: Do they want the experience and track record sitting Judges Louis Becker and Richard Bernhardt bring to the bench, or do they want an alternative?
Throughout the campaign, challenger David Titman, an Ellicott City attorney, has cast himself as somewhat of a maverick. Breaking with tradition, he is not accepting campaign contributions from other Maryland lawyers.
“It?s not illegal. It?s not unethical. But I think it?s wrong,” he said in front of about 30 people at the forum.
Titman said attorneys could feel pressured, and the practice of accepting donations from lawyers can create an appearance of impropriety, should those lawyers appear before the judges to whom they have donated.
