Next Tuesday's primary voting is important for all Alabamians.  The Independent editors and staff urges all eligible voters to make an effort to get to the polls. For Place 1 (Court of Criminal Appeals) in the Democratic Primary, the candidates are Clyde Jones, a circuit judge in Jefferson County since 2002, and Steve Dodd of Montgomery, an assistant attorney generl. The Huntsville Times endorsed Dodd based on his record of public service, which is, indeed, impressive.  Asst. AG Dodd has been arguing criminal cases for the state in the Court of Criminal Appeals for 17 years and was a former legal advisor to Gov. George Wallace.  We also believe Steve Dodd is the best qualified. Click to continue >>
	Who we recommend: Alabama's primary is Tuesday In our opinion 05-28-2008 In early April, just days before the candidate filing deadline, two members of the Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals announced they would be stepping down at the end of the current term.   The pending departure of Judge H.W. "Bucky" McMillan and Judge Pam Baschab meant two seats on the five-member appellate court would be open at the start of the 2009 session. A dozen candidates are on the June 3 primary ballots, seven Republicans and five Democrats. They are hoping to fill Place 1 or Place 2 on the Court of Criminal Appeals. Starting next year, the base salary for a seat on this court will be $160,016.53. Judges with prior experience on the bench can earn more depending on their length of service. The judicial elections are just a few of several races on Tuesday's ballot. Others include a Republican race for the presidency of the Public Service Commission and a Republican battle for District 3 on the State Board of Education. Ahead of Election Day, The Star's editorial board makes the following recommendations:  Click to continue >>
	Dodd brings balance to Republican-dominated court AFor Appellate Courts Tuesday, May 27, 2008 Two open state seats draw a crowd of primary candidates. In Alabama, all district, circuit and appellate judges, including members of the state Supreme Court, are elected by the voters. It may not be the best way to choose judges, but it's the way we have. On both Democratic and Republican primary ballots June 3, a number of candidates are competing for two open seats on the Court of Criminal Appeals, the result of sitting judges' decisions not to run again. For Place 1 on the Democratic ballot, the candidates are Clyde Jones, a circuit judge in Jefferson County, and Steve Dodd, an assistant attorney general. Jones has been serving on the bench since 2002, while Dodd has no experience as a judge. Even so, Dodd's record of public service is longer, and he candidly admits he things it's time to bring some partisan balance to the Republican-dominated appeals courts in Alabama. In a close call, The Times' editorial board recommends Steve Dodd.  Click to continue >>