We are a nonpartisan group of Alaskans from across the political, ideological, and religious spectrum who believe justice should not be for sale, judges should be selected on the basis of their merit, and the framers of the Alaska Constitution got it right by keeping partisan politics out of the courtroom.
We are proud of the quality of judges who serve on Alaska’s courts and believe Alaskans are best served if we retain highly qualified judges whose decisions follow the law and do not confuse what is popular for what the law demands. We know that if special interest groups can remove any judge simply because they do not like that judge’s decision, Alaskans will have lost the level playing field that courts are meant to provide to ensure equal justice for all under the law.
Treasurer
As a lawyer often involved in election disputes, I understand more than most the difference between strongly-held political views and the demands of the rule of law. They are quite different, yet many would have us confuse them, suggesting that politics should overrule the law and facts of a given case. To me, this approach makes judges beholden those with political power, not the oath they take to uphold the law.
As a lifelong Alaskan, I am proud that Alaska’s judges embody the highest principles of their calling. Alaskans benefit from judges who are fair, impartial and independent, and who look only to the law for guidance in their decision-making, without regard to political winds or ideological pressures from any direction.
Co-Chair
During a career that has spanned over four decades, I have appeared before many judges throughout Alaska. I can’t recall a single instance where I came to the conclusion that any particular trial court judge was liberal or conservative. It simply was not relevant to the resolution of my case. Likewise, I don’t recall a client ever asking me whether the judge was conservative or liberal, or what their position was on abortion and other hot-button issues. My clients were interested in the same thing I was: did the judge have a good reputation as someone who did their homework and applied the law in a fair and impartial manner? Alaska’s system of judicial selection is set up to achieve that goal. It is important for us to do everything possible to protect and preserve that system.
Co-Chair
My work as an attorney sometimes took me across the country, and I came to greatly appreciate Alaska’s merit system for selecting – and retaining – judges. It has ensured Alaskans that our judges remain focused on making decisions that are based on the law, without fear of reprisal from partisan or other special interests.. Alaskans deserve independent, fair judges who follow the law regardless of pressure to do otherwise.
As a retired lawyer and former businesswoman, I recognize the vital importance of courts that honor our basic rights and freedoms, however controversial. Unlike political fortunes, which change constantly, the fundamental principles that courts uphold must survive political storms or be rendered meaningless. Judges who defend these principles in the face of public clamor should be supported, not lose their jobs.”
Having provided legal and judicial services in three states and fourteen tribes for the past 31 years, I firmly believe people expect to be treated fairly and without bias when they enter a justice system, whether it is civil or criminal, no matter if it is tribal, state or federal. Judges have the job of ensuring the law is impartially applied without any outside personal or political influence and that the most just outcome is rendered. Alaska’s current nomination, selection and evaluation system accomplishes just that. Independent, fair and qualified judges get the job done.
I have been a commercial fisherman and businessman in Alaska for 53 years, and served in the State House representing the Kenai Peninsula from 2003 to 2018. I served in leadership on numerous committees, including State Affairs, Resources, Education and Finance. Having studied judicial systems in other states, I find that the judicial selection and retention system in Alaska is superior to others. Our merit-based system avoids the corruption and conflict of interest inherent in systems utilizing political appointment or popular elections found in other states and in the federal judiciary. Judges appointed from a “most qualified” pool, followed by periodic “retention” elections, provides accountability. Renewed terms of service through retention, coupled with mandatory retirement at age 70, ensures Alaskans that our judiciary does not become stale. The foresight of the selection and retention system created by our constitutional framers benefits all Alaskans, and I continue to work to ensure that Alaska will maintain its highly qualified and impartial judiciary.
Secretary
Everyone’s life is touched by the judicial system, including workers. A fair and impartial judiciary is fundamental to Alaskans’ ability to protect themselves in their place of work. Fair and independent courts are the bedrock for protecting all of the rights that Alaskans count on every day of our lives.
Donna Goldsmith, Co-Chair
Tom Amodio, Treasurer
Bruce Botelho, Board Member
Michael Geraghty, Co-Chair
Joelle Hall, Secretary
Barb Hood, Board Member
Debra O’Gara, Board Member
Paul Seaton, Board Member
Select your community on our Find My Judges page to see which judges are on your ballot. We encourage you to follow the Alaska Judicial Council’s recommendations when deciding whether to retain each judge.