DeKalb judicial races hotly contested

Names and numbers.

In an election season dominated by who’ll run things in Washington, candidates for local judgeships down the ballot use money to get attention and endorsements to add credibility.

In an unusually contentious judicial race in DeKalb County, it is not surprising the candidates disagree about the significance of challenger Tom Stubbs’ 2-to-1 fund-raising lead over incumbent Superior Court Judge Linda Hunter.

Hunter pointed to her 21 years of service as a judge.

“I do not have to buy name recognition, a reputation or endorsements,” Hunter said. “All this shows is that Stubbs’ family has money and that he is connected to wealth and power.”

Stubbs said he comes from modest means and his Decatur law practice represents “familes and neighbors,” not rich clients. “The overwhelming support I am honored to have received is simply due to how folks feel about me and how they feel about her,” Stubbs said.

The other contested judicial race for DeKalb Superior Court features fewer attacks but more fund-raising. The candidates are former assistant District Attorney Tangela Barrie; worker’s compensation administrative law judge Johnny Mason; and Recorders Court Judge R. Joy Walker.

ENDORSEMENTS

Each candidate was asked to list as many as five endorsements.

DIVISION 8

Linda Hunter:

Sheriff Thomas Brown; former district attorneys J. Tom Morgan, Jeffrey Brickman and Bob Wilson; Georgia Equality.

Tom Stubbs:

Former Gov. Roy Barnes; former state Sen. Jim Tysinger (R-Doraville); state Rep. Mary Margaret Oliver (D-Decatur); Theresa Walker, executive director of the Georgia Black Chamber of Commerce; Mike Mears, former head of the Georgia Public Defender Standards Council.

DIVISION 10

Tangela Barrie:

Georgia Association of Black Women Attorneys; Georgia Equality.

Johnny Mason:

Former Gov. Roy Barnes; former state Sen. Jim Tysinger; Patricia M. Killingsworth; Linda Klein; Jeffrey Bramlett.

R. Joy Walker:

Urban Independents; Georgia Slate; the Rev. Raleigh Rucker, pastor and funeral home director; former Fulton County Superior Court Judge M. Gino Brogdon; Robert Burroughs, former president of the DeKalb Lawyers Association.