For most voters in Brooklyn, including virtually every Democrat in Brownstone Brooklyn and Sunset Park (outside of the vicinity of Chinatown) there will only be one race on the ballot in this year’s primary: a seat on the Civil Court bench.
For most of you, this is a race involving candidates you never heard of the day before yesterday who you won’t remember the day after tomorrow.
But that doesn’t mean it isn’t important.
To a large extent, the quality of our justice depends upon the quality of our judges.
I do not come here to denigrate any candidate, or even to denigrate the Party organization (and those who know me know that I have no trouble doing that), which actually put together a pretty good slate of judicial candidates, only one of whom faces a primary.
Let me start by saying that court attorney Turquoise Haskin, the one County Organization judicial candidate facing a primary, is adequately qualified to be a judge, although, in my humble opinion, she could probably benefit from a bit more seasoning.
Ms. Haskin is not blessed with great speaking skills; she is rarely fast on her feet, and often seems to have trouble breaking away from her pre-chewed talking points, but while such things are not entirely irrelevant to the bench, she appears to have decent educational credential and legal experience, as well as a worldview that indicates a good heart and an open mind. Although well-connected to some Party Leaders, Ms Haskin sometimes display a political naivete that may arguably have some upsides.
I would not expect Ms’ Haskin’s bench to be “hot,” but hot benches, while more fun to watch, arguably do not always result in the best decisions. So, my guess is she would perform her job functions competently, and would not embarrass the system. In too many years, that is the best we can do, and in some years I’ve gladly voted for judicial candidates of similar (and sometimes even somewhat inferior) quality.
Sometimes, that’s just the best we can do with the choices we have.
But this year we can do better.
This year, we can vote for Linda Wilson.
In contrast to Ms. Haskin, Linda Wilson, a court attorney in the Appellate Division, who is backed by most of the organized reform and insurgent elements who have taken sides, is one of the most impressive candidates for judicial office I’ve ever seen, in addition to having been an outstanding civic activist with groups such as the Park Slope Civic Council. .
Ms Wilson has been served in nearly every court a Civil Court Judge might find themselves working in, as well as some they would not. While her career has primarily been within the Court system, the breadth of Ms. Wilson’s experience is pretty stunning.
Frankly, there are few I’ve spoken to who have seen these candidates at the same forum (something I’ve done multiple times) who, whatever their public stance, has ventured a different position privately. It is a pretty open secret that virtually everyone in Brooklyn politics who’s seen them in action, lawyers and lay-people alike, understands that Linda Wilson is far more qualified.
I am not exaggerating when I say this isn’t just a matter of opinion; Linda Wilson is just objectively better.
In her public appearances, Linda Wilson does not need pre-chewed talking points; she spontaneously speaks simultaneously from the heart and mind, answering left field questions with sophistication and thoughtfulness, looking at things from every plausible angle and always looking for the justice underlying the law. She is dogged and determined to find the right answer, for as long as it takes, and to figure out how to best do justice within the parameters of the law, and when appropriate, to test those parameters.
In fact, Linda Wilson came up with a pretty damned good turn of phrase, telling one audience, she sees her job function as to “disrupt injustice.”
Wow! How I wish I came up with that one.
As an adversary of the County organization who has not hesitated to back the County candidate in judicial races where they are the most qualified, I can say unequivocally that this is not one of those times.
On June 27th, please vote Linda Wilson for Civil Court Judge.
I have to say that even in those year where we are blessed with many choices in many contests, we are rarely blessed with such a fine opportunity to do the right thing.
3 Comments
Nicely stated. Most of the writings I have found supporting Linda Wilson have been from Park Slope. So no matter how well intentioned and sincere, they must be somewhat discounted. You may not be a lover of machine candidates, but in acknowledging that and the way you disown antipathy you address a similar type of concern that readers might have. In doing so, you take away a reason for people to accord you less credence.
It is a pleasure to read a piece comparing “good” with “better” instead of what has become too common: “good vs. evil”. And with explanations of why you find one candidate better.
Finally, I agree with you that down-ballot races are important. Aside from their intrinsic importance (these are positions that affect people’s lives), they sometimes serve as starting points for younger public servants. Though perhaps less so for judicial positions.
Did you read their CBID questionnaire answers? Wilson seems way under qualified. Lists being a member of Prospect Park Alliance as one of few civic involvements. Haskins has sat through twice as many trials. Who is shilling for who? Really?
Howard, I always knew you were a gentleman and a scholar. At times we have disagreed respectfully, but here, your piece is so well written, so logically presented, hits all the right notes. Knowing Linda personally, sure I am biased, having worked with her, knowing her only professionally, but its been a privilege knowing her. She often turns the phrase that is “spot on” memorable. She is highly intelligent, and has a deep sense and yearning to do the right thing, to make a difference and to be fair and just. Brooklyn has just got itself a very fine Judge.