The following op-ed is written by Boone County resident Jim Fiorelli
I was among the hundred or so attendees at the October judicial debate held at NKU’s Griffin Hall featuring candidates vying for positions on the Kentucky Appeals and Supreme Courts.
While Appeals Court candidate attorney Robert Winter was both intelligent and sincere, his responses to questions posed by moderator NKU Law Professor Ken Katkin, were often rambling and veered off topic. His delivery was staccato, often pausing to search for a word or a phrase. He had difficulty getting to the point and often interlaced a personal anecdote or opinion that had little to do with the question posed.
On the other hand, incumbent Judge Susanne Cetrulo, arrived with accolades, awards and a broad and powerful spectrum of endorsements, and had everything but the NKU marching band working in her favor. Her responses were succinct and sincere, and her delivery bled the appreciation and respect for the job she has held for the past year.
For the two Kentucky Supreme Court candidates, incumbent Judge Michelle Keller, and challenger, Fort Thomas resident and State Representative Joseph Fischer, there was a clear distinction.
For one, Fischer read his responses whereas Keller’s were extemporaneous. That may not seem important, but Keller engaged the audience and was in the moment, whereas Fischer appeared to me, mechanical and aloof.
The first question asked to these candidates dealt with bipartisanship. Fischer has made no secret of his role as “a conservative Republican” a phase appearing on his campaign signage, literature and in social media.
Earlier this year, the Kentucky Judicial Campaign Conduct Committee, a private, non-profit, non-partisan group aimed at safeguarding the integrity of judgeship races in Kentucky raised concerns over Fischer’s campaign, stating that he was placing too much emphasis on campaigning as a partisan candidate in a non-partisan election.
To that end, Fischer is breaking no laws and has a First Amendment right to convey his affiliation to the voters. He also said that today, many states hold partisan elections for judge with no evidence of bias when it came to adjudicating.
Judge Keller, who is registered as an independent, cited the Kentucky Constitution and its requirement that a judgeship be non-partisan, and the importance of adhering to the Constitution.
The partisanship issue found its way into other questions dealing with opinion dissent, and Kentucky statues that require that legislative bills be narrowly focused in their scope.
Like Cetrulo, Keller was deeply endorsed, and cited her varied experience and credentials built up over time, whereas Fischer cited his two-plus decades as a state legislator, the bills he had sponsored several of which were prodigious and impactful for Kentuckians.
But his sporadic and infrequent courtroom appearance and having never been a magistrate at any level suggested to me that Joe Fischer is applying for the executive chef position at a Jeff Ruby establishment because he knows how to make Hamburger Helper.
Election Day is rapidly approaching, and one could argue that judgeships do more to impact the lives of everyday citizens than do national elections.
At this debate, the distinctions between candidates were obvious. Now, it’s up to you to decide.