Down Ballot Races: Judges

[QED]

I found this group called "Gavel Watch" that rates judges. Here is their analysis:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/14WMqSHSbIBIMnAZ-H7JSeGxbEtO11N_HoU6KQ8EhTtM/edit?fbclid=IwAR0N6Mc6yAm4shRObuqJhxnHkwfyuQqOfM8hM_rQ6nG5F5EvPpIfTtqY3L8#gid=0

Here is their methology:

"RESEARCH METHODOLOGY: The authors and researchers of Gavel Watch are not attorneys and have not participated in any relevant cases as plaintiffs or defendants before the listed judges, nor are they participants in any part of the judicial system except as observers. We researched all the judges up for retention in 2020 using the following tools: Judicial Performance Reports, The Robing Room, DM Cantor, websites for the various courts, financial statements submitted to the AZ Secretary of State, news sources too numerous to mention, Arizona Republic database searching, Twitter, Facebook, and The Federalist Society. Recommendations to Retain (YES), or Do Not Retain (NO) are based on evaluations of all reports combined, with less weight given to obviously biased opinions stated by winners and losers of court cases. If no concerning records came to light on performance issues, or on decisions or actions that seemed to be informed by an overtly conservative or ideological bias, we recommended YES. LEARN ABOUT THE JUDICIAL NOMINATION AND SELECTION PROCESS AND THE JUDICIAL PERFORMANCE REVIEW PROCESS IN ARIZONA ON SECOND TAB OF THIS WORKSHEET. © 2020 Civic Engagement Beyond Voting. Please direct questions to [e-mail] Not for use in whole or in part without permission. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s committee."


I'll break it out by jurisdiction. (I think I used the right word.)

on edit: Added information about methodology

[QED]

1. AZ Supreme Court

This is from Gavel Watch, referenced in OP.

Chief Justice Robert M. Brutinel, Chief Justice, Appointed by Brewer in 2010, retained in 2014, 33 voted meets requirements, recommended with reservations

Comments: Conservative. Voted in 2018 to remove Invest in Ed from ballot. Voted in 2020 to prevent secure E-Qual online signatures for ballot measures. Recused in Brush & Nib case to deny LGBTQ couples service.

Justice Andrew Gould, Justice, Appointed by Ducey in 2016, voted meets requirements, not recommended

Comments: Extremely conservative. One of the judges appointed when AZ Supreme Court was expanded by Ducey. Wrote the majority opinion in 2019 case allowing Brush & Nib to deny LGBTQ couples service. Voted in 2018 to remove Invest in Ed from ballot. Voted in 2020 to prevent secure E-Qual online signatures for ballot measures.

Justice John Lopez IV, Appointed by Ducey in 2016, voted meets requirements, not recommended

"Extremely conservative. One of the judges appointed when AZ Supreme Court was expanded by Ducey. Voted with the majority allowing Brush & Nib to deny LGBTQ couples service. Voted with the majority to knock IIE off the ballot in 2018. Proud member of the Federalist Society (welcomes conservative and libertarians to fight ""orthodox liberal ideology"" and ""place a premium on individual liberty, traditional values, and the rule of law."&quot "

[QED]

2. Court of Appeals, Division 1

I'm just going to show the recommendations. If it's a no, I'll provide the rationale.

Name / Appointed by & Year / Meets? / Recommended / Rationale if no

Jennifer Campbell Ducey 2017 33 meets. YES

Maria Cruz Ducey 2017 33 meets. YES

Randall Howe Brewer 2012 33 meets. YES

Paul McMurdie Ducey 2016 33 meets. YES

James Morse Ducey 2017 33 meets. NO
Strong supporter of the Federalist Society and Constitutional originalism. Harshly disregarded due process rights for an immigrant with inadequate representation in 2018 appeals court case.

Jennifer Perkins Ducey 2017 33 meets. NO
Strong supporter of the Federalist Society and supporter of qualified immunity, which protects government officials (including police) from civil action for potential misdeeds. Former attorney for the Institute of Justice, a right-wing legal aid society that supports "school choice" (i.e. de-funding public education), religious "liberty" (i.e. sanctioned discrimination), and libertarian economic policies.

Samuel Thumma Brewer 2012 33 meets. YES

David Weinzweig Ducey 2018 33 meets. NO
As Asst AG, argued that midazolam should be allowed for executions, despite horrifying botched executions in Arizona & Oklahoma. In 2015, as Asst AG, defended a law denying abortions to women if doctors "knew" the decision was based on the fetus' sex or race.

[QED]

3. Court of Appeals, Division 2

I'm just going to show the recommendations. If it's a no, I'll provide the rationale.

Name / Appointed by & Year / Meets? / Recommended / Rationale if no

Sean Brearcliffe Ducey 2017 33 meets NO
Made donations to Gov Ducey campaign while a judge, and under consideration for Court of Appeals appointment. In 2015, ruled that a gay couple could not divorce because he felt they could not have married to begin with, and stated that he had no obligation to adhere to prior federal court precedent. Further, he sought to dismiss the case "with prejudice," which would have prevented the couple from filing again.

Karl Eppich Ducey 2017 33 meets YES with reservations
Harsh sentencing of juvenile arsonist to life in prison in 2019: stated that US Supreme Court decision barring life imprisonment except in cases of homicide, and US Constitution prohibition against cruel and unusual punishment did not apply in this case.


Garye Vasquez Napolitano 200532 meets. 0 does not meet.
In this case, a conflict existed among a commissioner; thus, an abstention. Voting abstention should not in any way be considered a negative factor.

On edit: fixed formatting

[QED]

4. Maricopa County Superior Court

Last edited Sun Oct 11, 2020, 02:02 PM - Edit history (1)

I'm just going to show the recommendations. If it's a no, I'll provide the rationale.

Name / Appointed by & Year / Current Assignment / Meets? / Recommended / Rationale if no

Jay R. Adleman Brewer 2013 Criminal Department 33 meets YES

Sara Agne Ducey 2018 Juvenile Department, Durango Facility 33 meets. YES with reservations
As attorney for the AZ Republican Party, argued that "ballot harvesting" prevented fraud, with no evidence of any actual fraud.

Justin Beresky Ducey 2018 "Criminal Department Northeast Regional Court Center" 33 meets. YES

Scott Blaney Ducey 2018 Family Bench, Northeast Regional Court Center 33 Meets however rated Unsatisfactory by 1 attorney in Deportment & Patience; Poorly rated by multiple litigants in Communication, Fairness/Impartiality, Equal Treatment by Gender, Temperament, and Administrative Performance.
YES with reservations Reservations based on Judicial Performance Review and 2012 case as National Guard JAG when Blaney dismissed accusations of retaliation against a whistleblower who reported that NG members were shooting paintballs and harassing homeless people from official vehicles. Later, several recruiters were dismissed or demoted as a result of the original charges.

Lori Horn Bustamante Brewer 2014 "Juvenile Department Juvenile Court Durango Facility" 33 meets. YES

Rodrick Coffey Brewer 2013 "Family Department Southeast Facility in Mesa" 33 meets. YES

Bruce Cohen Napolitano 2005 Family Department Presiding Judge 33 meets. YES

Suzanne Cohen Brewer 2012 "Criminal Department Phoenix" 32 meets, 1 does not meet YES with reservations Reservations based on Judicial Performance Report.
Lower ratings fall in Litigant witness surveys (13 returned); they indicate 77% integrity, 83% communication, 73% temperment, 82% admin performance. "

Connie Contes Jane Hull 2002 "Juvenile Department Southeast Facility in Mesa" 33 meets. YES

Christopher A. Coury Brewer 2010 "Civil Department Phoenix" 33 meets. NO
Ruled against Invest in Ed initiative in July 2020 with a disdainful, contemptuous, and unprofessional decision. The decision included conditions for the initiative's 100-word statement that were clearly unachievable. We believe that the judge's sneering comments in the decision and in court are unacceptable in the US justice system. "Coury has been relentless in his career for court appointments," wrote Dillon Rosenblatt in the Capitol Times (8/13/20). "It took him eight tries to land on the Superior Court."

Adam Driggs Ducey 2017 "Criminal Department Phoenix" 31 meets. 2 does not meet. YES with reservations Reservations based on Judicial Performance Report
Legal ability 89%, Admin Perf 87% by attorneys. Communication 85%, Admin Perf 89% by litigants.

Ronda Fisk Ducey 2017 Associate Presiding, Criminal Bench 33 meets. YES with reservations
Reservations based on Judicial Performance Report88% communication, 89% temperament by litigants

Pamela Gates Brewer 2009 Presiding Civil Department 33 meets. YES with reservations
Disqualified health care initiative from ballot in Aug 2020, stating 100-word description omitted key points, and also some signature gatherers did not show up when subpoenaed. Both of these tactics are commonly used to prevent citizens' initiatives from reaching the voters.

Jo Lynn Gentry Napolitano 2005 "Juvenile Department Juvenile Court Durango Facility" "26 meets. 6 does not meet. NO Recommendation based on poor Judicial Performance Report. Rated poorly on "basic fairness and impartiality," "equal treatment regardless of economic status." and "understanding and compassion."
Main concern is temperament: Rated 64% temperament by attorneys. Garnered ratings in all other areas in 80s, except 98% admin performance. Litigant ratings all in 90s."

Douglas Gerlach Brewer 2010 "Lower Court of Appeals Department Phoenix" Not listed. Has notified JPR that he will not be filing for retetion.

Michael Gordon Napolitano 2005 "Juvenile Department Juvenile Court Durango Facility" 33 meets. YES

John Hannah Napolitano 2005 "Civil Department Phoenix" 33 meets. YES

Michael Kemp Napolitano 2005 "Civil Department Phoenix" 33 meets. YES

Daniel Kiley Brewer 2010 Associate Presiding Civil Judge 33 meets. YES

Margaret Labianca Ducey 2018 "Family Department Phoenix"33 meets. YES

Todd Lang Ducey 2016 "Juvenile Department Juvenile Court Durango Facility" 33 meets. YES

Margaret R. Mahoney Hull 2002 "Civil Department Phoenix" 33 meets. YES

Michael Mandell Ducey 2017 "Family Department Phoenix" 33 meets. YES

Suzanne Marwil Ducey 2018 Family Court 33 meets. YES

Scott McCoy Brewer 2005 Civil Dept, Juvenile Court, Durango Facility 33 meets. YES

Kathleen Mead Brewer 2013 Criminal Dept, Phoenix 33 meets. YES

Joseph P. Mikitish Brewer 2013 Civil Dept, Phoenix 33 meets. YES

Scott Minder Ducey 2016 Criminal Dept, Phoenix 33 meets. YES

Karen Mullins Napolitano 2006 "Juvenile Department Juvenile Court Durango Facility" 33 meets. YES

Jose Padilla Napolitano 2005 Not listed. Will not be filing for retention.

David Palmer Brewer 2009 "Civil Department Southeast Facility in Mesa" 33 meets. YES

Adele Ponce Ducey 2018 Family Department, Southeast Facility in Mesa 33 meets, however rated poorly by attorneys on Legal Ability (81%), including 5/20 Poor/Unsatisfactory in Legal Reasoning and 4/20 Poor/Unsatisfactory in Knowledge of Substantive Law. Also 83% overall in Communication. YES with reservations Reservations based on Judicial Performance Report

Timothy J. Ryan Napolitano 2005 Criminal Department, Phoenix 33 meets. YES

Teresa Sanders Hull 2001 "Criminal Department Phoenix" 33 meets. YES

Patricia Starr Brewer 2014 Criminal Presiding Judge 33 meets. YES

Sherry K. Stephens Hull 2001 "Civil Department Phoenix" 33 meets. YES with reservations
Handling of 2015 Jody Arias trial was highly concerning with regard to judge's ability to control a courtroom in contentious situations. 2018 ruling with regard to strict compliance for initiative petitions strengthened an obstacle to citizens' initiatives.

Timothy Thomason Brewer 2014 "Civil Department Phoenix" 33 meets. YES

Peter Thompson Brewer 2010 "Criminal Department Phoenix" 33 meets. YES

David K. Udall Hull 2001 "Juvenile Department Southeast Facility in Mesa" 33 meets. YES

Lisa Ann Vandenberg Ducey 2018 Family/Presiding Judge Northwest 33 meets. YES

Kevin Wein Ducey 2018 "Family Department Phoenix" 33 meets. YES

Christopher Whitten Napolitano 2006 "Juvenile Department Phoenix" 33 meets. YES

on edit: missed Adleman when first compiled

[QED]

5. Pima County Superior Court

I'm just going to show the recommendations. If it's a no, I'll provide the rationale.

Name / Appointed by & Year / Current Assignment / Meets? / Recommended / Rationale if no

Renee Bennett Ducey 2017 Family Law Bench 33 meets. YES

Deborah Bernini J. Fife Symington 1997 Criminal Bench 33 meets. YES

Kyle Bryson Brewer 2010 Presiding Judge, Pima County 33 meets. YES

Michael Butler Brewer 2013 Criminal/Mental Health Court 33 meets. YES

Richard Gordon Brewer 2009 Civil Bench 33 meets. YES

Brenden Griffin Brewer 2013 Civil Bench 33 meets. YES

John Hinderaker Ducey 2018 Family Law Bench 2018 33 meets. YES with reservations
Nominated by Pres Trump to US District Court of AZ in Dec 2019; not yet confirmed. Feted by Southern AZ chapter of Federalist Society in 2018.

Kellie Johnson Ducey 2017 Civil Bench 33 meets. YES

Kenneth Lee J. Fife Symington 1997 Probate Bench 33 meets. YES

Scott McDonald Ducey 2018 Juvenile Bench 33 meets. YES with reservations
Moderated Federalist Society meeting of S Ariz Lawyers Chapter to discuss Demystifying the Judicial Selection & Appointment Process. Featured at Federalist Society Social Mixer with Justice Pelander, Aug 2018.

Casey McGinley Ducey 2018 Juvenile Bench 33 meets. YES with reservations
Featured at Federalist Society Social Mixer with Justice Pelander, Aug 2018.

D. Douglas Metcalf Brewer 2013 Civil Bench 33 meets. YES

Leslie Miller Babbitt 1985 Civil Bench 33 meets. YES

Scott Rash Brewer 2010 33 meets.

Greg Sakall Ducey 2017 33 meets. YES

Paul Tang Hull 2001 Civil Bench 33 meets. NO
Serious reservations about a case from 2018 when he rejected a claim by a mother of abused children that she was subject to duress and abused herself. Overturned on appeal.

Joan Wagener Brewer 2014 Juvenile Bench 33 meets. YES

Wayne Yehling Ducey 2017 Family Law Bench 33 meets. YES

[Kali]

6. we have an interesting little fight going on for Superior Court Judge

district 5 in Cochise County Dem write-in and a no-party-affiliation who apparently voted in Georgia in 2016 thereby disqualifying her 5 year county residency here by 4 or 5 months. currently fight is to keep no-party off ballot or include a disclaimer with the mail in ballots.

https://www.myheraldreview.com/news/cochise_county/officials-investigating-whether-judicial-candidate-voted-illegally-opponent-files-appeal/article_83bf7392-f90d-11ea-b975-bf9c13703030.html

[QED]

9. Wow. It does seem like a narrow distinction.

[Kali]

10. I will vote for Carl the Dem but she has that little write-in check mark against her

not sure why she wasn't prepared to begin with, not a great trait for a judge! she also is fairly corporate in her law experience while the other one has much more regular court experience. I just cant vote for a non Democratic candidate for anything right now. There are a few decent repukes down here - you almost have to be one to get elected other than in Bisbee - but there has to be some kind of message sent to them that they MUST stop the trupism/tea party/extreme right wing of their party or they are finished.

[QED]

7. Pinal County Superior Court

I'm just going to show the recommendations. If it's a no, I'll provide the rationale.

Name / Appointed by & Year / Current Assignment / Meets? / Recommended / Rationale if no

Patrick Gard Ducey 2018 Divisional Judge (?) 33 meets. YES

Joseph Georgini 2005 Presiding Criminal Judge 33 meets. YES

Jason Holmberg Brewer 2013 33 meets. YES

Stephen McCarville Elected 2001 32 meets. No one voted does not meet. YES
McCarville is a Commissioner and could not rate himself. Voting abstention should not in any way be considered a negative factor.

Robert Carter Olson Appointed by Napolitano in 2007, then retired; re-appointed by Ducey 2018 Civil and Probate Benches 33 meets. YES

Christopher O'Neil Ducey 2017 33 meets. YES

[QED]

8. Coconino County Superior Court

I'm just going to show the recommendations. If it's a no, I'll provide the rationale.

Name / Appointed by & Year / Current Assignment / Meets? / Recommended / Rationale if no

Cathleen Brown Nichols 2012 Superior Court Div 5
Her current caseload includes criminal and civil cases, Veterans’ Court, mental health, family law, limited jurisdiction court appeals and appeals of administrative decisions. 31 meets. 0 does not meet. YES

In this case, a conflict existed among a commissioner; thus, an absention. Voting abstention should not in any way be considered a negative factor.

Attorneys score in 77% admin performance.

[wackadoo wabbit]

11. This is a very handy thread. Thank you!

Up until now, I've just checked to see who appointed the judge. Democrat appointed = yes. Republican appointed = no.

[StarryNite]

12. Thank you. This is very helpful.

[Mortimer Brewster]

13. Thank you

This site is refreshing and I will pass the word. Helped me decide which Judges to retain.

[JonLP24]

14. I just finished voting

Thank you for this guide.