Whom should I vote for in local races?

Minnesota Supreme Court and Appeals Court
Supreme Court associate justice
Seat 3
Paul H. Anderson *
Alan Lawrence Nelson
Tim Tingelstad

Seat 4
Jill Clark
F. Richard Gallo
Lorie Skjerven Gildea *
Deborah Hedlund


District Court judge
4th District Court
Seat 53
Paula Brummel
Elizabeth (Liz) Cutter
David L. Piper
Jane Ranum
Thomas R. Sheran
Cheri Sudit

County commissioner races
Hennepin County
Commissioner
District 7
Steve Gill
Jeff Johnson
Joe Lachner
Joan Molenaar
Ken Wilson

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=160x32358

The problem with the stirb page is that it only provides the self bios.

Interesting comments by Alan Nelson:

Most important issue: Keep politics and special interests out of the court room.

Extensive travel across 5 continents and 35 countries. Deep respect for other cultures and languages.

Tim Tinglestad, on the other hand, says:

I believe that justice is served when judges fear God and love the people,

F. Richard Gallo:

Average Minnesotans are underrepresented on our Court. I am committed to providing this representation, to helping the Court focus on its duties, and to prioritizing Constitutional rights and an independent judiciary that works to settle the legal problems facing society and each person.

Lorie Gildea:

My record demonstrates that I am committed to preserving equal justice under the law, the rule of law in guiding our society, and the guarantees of liberty, safety, and democracy in Minnesota.

Deborah Hedlund:

My diverse family(including African, Indian, Asian, Hispanic, European, and Jewish heritage) as well as exposure to 25 % non-white litigants, would provide much needed balance and understanding. By clear, consistent opinions, litigation would be reduced (saving the public and litigants money) and increasing the predictibility of legal outcomes.

Paula Brummel:

member Teamsters

As judge, I will consider issues from multiple perspectives, treat all parties fairly and respectfully, and decide matters that come before me using research and my knowledge of the law.

Elizabeth Cutler:

Endorsed by: Walter F. Mondale; Thomas Heffelfinger; David Lillehaug; Sam Hanson; Edward Stringer; Warren Spannaus; Tom Tinkham; Jean Holloway; Mary Vasaly; Thomas Johnson.


David Piper:

Endorsed by: Former US Senator Dave Durenberger; Former Met Council Chair Ted Mondale; Former Sheriff Pat McGowan; State Senator Scott Dibble; State Senator Don Betzold; State Senator Ember Reichgott Junge; Former Judge John Stanoch; Former Hennepin County Administrator Sandra Vargas; Sylvia and Sam Kaplan; Sally and George Pillsbury.

Jane Ranum:

A State Senator? Which party?

Enorsed by: Retired Minnesota Supreme Court Justice Rosalie Wahl; Retired Hennepin County Judge William Posten; Senator Patricia Torres Ray; Senator Ann Rest; Representative Jean Wagenius; Hennepin County Commissioner Gail Dorfman; Bloomington City Council Member Steve Peterson; Minneapolis City Council Member Don Samuels; Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak; Orono Mayor James White.

her district included parts of south Minneapolis, Richfield & Bloomington

in the race.

just a reminder to look at the judges

Tingelstad in particular looks bad

can't vote for a judge who is so ignorant that she doesn't know if Obama is a Muslim or not

http://www.twincities.com/politics/ci_10779999

Hennepin County District Judge and Minnesota Supreme Court candidate Deborah Hedlund received an e-mail Monday with the subject line, "Can Muslims Be Good Americans?"

...

It includes claims that allegiance to Islam forbids a Muslim "to make friends with Christians or Jews," that a Muslim "must submit to the mullahs, who teach annihilation of Israel and destruction of America" and that "Barack Hussein Obama, a Muslim ... refuses to pledge allegiance to the United States or put his hand over his heart when the national anthem is played. ..."

In her reply message to Look — which she inadvertently sent to all original recipients — Hedlund wrote: "Matt, We speak the same language. And I still need to let voters know they have a choice to 'Seek Justice, Vote For Experience' for the Minnesota Supreme Court."

...

Asked whether she thought Obama was a Muslim, Hedlund said: "I have no idea what he is. My level of information about the presidential candidates would not fill a thimble."

I'll probably go with Hedlund and Anderson.
No idea on the others, I'm in Ramsey County anyway.

Hedlund is ignorant, and Gildea doesn't seem much better.

given that Hedlund has some serious Fundi Christian backing which is a bad sign.