Jennifer Grant candidate for Columbia County Circuit Court Judge has received a $4,000.00 contribution from a Chemical Company located in Nevada owned by Andrew Agassi the world famous tennis player. Why would a chemical company from Nevada want to contribute to a Circuit Court race in rural backwoods Columbia County? Other information PROVIDED TO THE UPDATE, which you can read for yourself, shows that several law firms' from Portland, Oregon is also interested in the judge's race between Grant and David Herr. This is the same question that I ask at the beginning of this article why would several law firms from Portland be interested in local Columbia County Circuit Court races?
In the letter from the Portland based law firms, they refer to the fact that David Herr is well liked and supported by members of the District Attorneys office and other law enforcement, in my opinion this would be a bonus to every citizen in Columbia County. We need all legal departments to work well with each other, not only to expedite the court docket but when everyone involved is working together all persons that go before the judicial system, will be assured that their case has been given due process.
The letter, also notes that the firms are concerned that some deputy district attorneys are trying to thwart and undermine the judicial appointment process, which in their opinion has worked well, to create an unbiased bench, free from intimidation.
I question this firms opinion, I believe that the good citizens of Columbia County has the wisdom to choose the Circuit Court Judge that they want presiding over their local civil cases, not a judge that has been appointed by the Governor. I can understand appointments by the Governor when some one retires, takes ill or dies, that appointment is understandable, from then on the judges should be elected by their peers, not by a governor or by the influence of several Portland law firms or a chemical company from the state of Nevada or a retired tennis player.
Excuses being made in hopes of acquiring campaign contributions to Grant from out of county/state are rather puzzling. Grant and Herr have the same opportunity to solicit funds from with in their county, from local supporters, the excuse that Grant is not wealthy, who is? Other than her supporters from outside of the county, like the several Portland law firms and the chemical company from Nevada, and lets not forget the retired tennis star. The law firms mention that Grant needs help because of her opponents tactics, I would like that statement explained, David Herr has been attending candidate forums as well as Ms. Grant, David Herr has political signs out around the county and so does Ms. Grant I see no out of place tactics in David Herr's campaign. His "tactics" do not go outside of Columbia County and do not impel out side money to INFLUENCE our Columbia County Circuit Court Judges seat. Unlike his opponent Ms. Grant, who accepts money from out of the county/state.
I would like to add that David Herr was willing to address the Columbia County Democratic Central Committee, but the leadership of the party would not allow both candidates to address the group, only Jennifer Grant was allowed to address the Democratic Central Committee. The democratic central committee by majority vote endorsed Ms. Grant
"The majority of the Democratic Central Committee made a Partisan decision for a NON - PARTISN RACE when they voted to exclude David Herr from addressing the group."
There is surely something brewing beneath Jennifer Grants campaign, with outside money rolling in and several outside law firms actively seeking out of state money to help her campaign in Columbia County, I wonder what it could be?