A preliminary: Smith & Wilson vie next Tuesday for Family Court Judge ballot lines

By Gordon Woodworth, Chronicle News Editor

The main event is on November 8, but Warren County Family Court Judge candidates Ted Wilson and Rob Smith square off on Tuesday, Sept. 13, in a primary that will determine which candidate has the Independence and Reform Party lines.

All county polling locations will be open from noon to 9 p.m.

Both men are already assured spots on the November ballot. Mr. Smith has the Democratic, Working Families, Women’s Equality and Green Party lines. Mr. Wilson has the Republican and Conservative Party lines.

They are running for the seat vacated by the late Judge J. Timothy Breen.

The term is 10 years and the annual salary is $183,400.

Mr. Wilson, 51, has served as senior court attorney for Washington County Judge Stan Pritzker since 2006. He ran for Warren County Judge in 2013, losing to incumbent Judge John Hall.

Mr. Smith, 47, has been senior court attorney for Judge Hall since 2001. He ran for a newly created Warren County Family Court judgeship in 2015 and lost to Paulette Kershko.

There are 2,457 active Independence Party members in Warren County, and 20 active Reform Party members, up from just three on April 1.

How important are these two lines?

“I would say the Independence line is pretty important, especially this year,” Mr. Smith said. “The Reform line, maybe not so much.”

Mr. Wilson said, “We’ll know after November, but I think they are important because of this particular presidential election. We have two [presidential] candidates who are lightning rods, so I think you’re going to see a lot of people going out on the third or fourth lines and voting, but I may be completely wrong.”

Mr. Smith said 82 Independence Party members “came out and voted in the primary last year. I won the primary [against Ms. Kershko] and I lost in November, so…is it important? I think it is. It does give you a little bit of momentum.”

Wilson: My experience is critical

Asked what key messages they are trying to convey to voters, Mr. Wilson said, “I think the 10 years of experience in Family Court is critical. I’m really proud that I was rated highly qualified by the Independent Judicial Election Qualifications Commission that we both subjected ourselves to.

“Most importantly, I want people to know that when they go to Family Court, they are a family unit.

“No matter how a family unit is defined in 2016, they are a family unit. And no matter what happens in Family Court while they are there, when they leave they are going to be a family unit.

“So my strategy is going to be the same one that we employ with Judge Pritzker, and that is to try and settle cases. Trials don’t make any sense in Family Court, so most of my effort is going to be up front, to try to settle cases, whether it be mediation or discussing these issues with the parties.”

Mr. Wilson continued, “I also have the trial experience that will make sure that if a trial does occur, it’s going to happen once, and the parties are not going to have to come back because a mistake was made.

“And the last thing, any child who comes in a contested matter, I’m going to speak personally with. I think that’s really important. It’s a scary place, even for adults. For children it’s heightened. I want them to know that I’m not the prettiest face, but I’m going to be friendly and let them know it’s going to be okay, and it’s going to work out.”

Smith: I know what it takes

Mr. Smith said, “I’m a hard worker. I’ve been doing this stuff for 15 years. I know what it takes. I’ve seen a lot of heartache and sad stories, and I think I can bring some new ideas to the courts up there to make things work more smoothly and help families heal.

“My message is I just want to help people. That’s all it is for me. I’m not looking for this position to ascend to another position. For me, I don’t see a better position. I see this as a perfect fit…

“I’ve got the compassion to do the job. I don’t want the job. My driving force is not to be a judge. My driving force is I want to help people. I’d be just as content sitting at a table talking with people and trying to help them through their problems.

“I care. I’m from this area. I’m born and raised here. I think that’s important. We look at the Jimmer Fredettes and the athletes that go to the next level. Well, I consider myself, not at that level, I have succeeded at…my profession, as a local person, and I want to give back to the community that has really given me so much.

Mr. Smith said he’s also emphasizing “my commitment to family. Whenever we are out campaigning, I have my wife Wanda with me. I rarely ever go without her. Being involved in this process can take a lot of time away from the family, and the boys are a little older, they are going to be 18 and 16, and Dad’s not as cool as he was when they were five, and they’re working or going to school. It’s a good opportunity for Wanda and I to spend some time together.”

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