Comments on: Supreme Court Justice See to Retire

By: Gavel Grab » Two Key ‘08 Court Races Are Wide Open

Gavel Grab » Two Key ‘08 Court Races Are Wide Open — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 17:21:03 +0000

[...] As noted in today’s West Virginia papers (and as highlighted earlier today by our eagle eyed researcher Molly McNab), West Virginia Supreme Court Justice Larry Starcher yesterday confirmed widespread speculation that we will not seek re-election to that state’s highest court in 2008. Coupled with a similar “I’m not running” announcement earlier this year from Alabama Justice Harold See, two states with histories of bloody Supreme Court races move into 2008 each with a vacancy to be filled. Justices Starcher and See were each regarded as “targets” for removal from the bench (Starcher by the same business interests that ousted Warren McGraw in 2004, and See by Alabama trial attorneys and other Democratic party allies). The fact that each has stepped aside may (or may not) somewhat tone down the negativity of those open seat races, but is also likely to drive the fundraising through the roof. Watch for the national fundraising record in a court race — currently the $9.3 million raised in the 2004 Illinois Supreme Court campaign – to fall in 2008. Maybe in West Virginia. Maybe in Alabama. Maybe in both. 2 views Email This Post [...]

By: Supreme Court Justice to Retire » Doc’s Political Parlor

Supreme Court Justice to Retire » Doc’s Political Parlor — Mon, 27 Aug 2007 15:09:36 +0000

[...] The decision of state Supreme Court Justice Harold See not to run for re-election next year, first reported this weekend by the Political Parlor, is confirmed by multiple sources who have seen or received a letter from him announcing his intention. [...]

By: See to Finish Term on Supreme Court » Doc’s Political Parlor

See to Finish Term on Supreme Court » Doc’s Political Parlor — Thu, 16 Aug 2007 17:01:58 +0000

[...] This morning the Press-Register has a good story on the retirement of state Supreme Court Justice Harold See. (The Press-Register is the first traditional media outlet to report the story first broken here at Doc’s Political Parlor three days ago.) [...]

By: Could Appointed Judge Serve Longer Than Original Term? » Doc’s Political Parlor

Thu, 16 Aug 2007 17:01:16 +0000

[...] Previous comments may be found here and here (including the comments). [...]

By: Dems for Supreme Court » Doc’s Political Parlor

Dems for Supreme Court » Doc’s Political Parlor — Thu, 16 Aug 2007 17:00:50 +0000

[...] Democrats mentioned in and around the Parlor as potential candidates for the open Supreme Court seat next year include Sharon Yates, Kimberly Drake, and the previously named Deborah Paseur. Drake, according to one source, has “about a 40% chance of running next year” and could run in 2010. [...]

By: Danny

Danny — Wed, 01 Aug 2007 18:01:57 +0000

Anonymous in comment 16, thanks! It is not my intent or nature to make these discussions personal. I think most of us are trying to get at whatever truths may be uncovered. What I continue to hear on the issue is in line with comment 17 from Flea Bailey (what a groaner of a name), and I posted again with some more specific info I received. Thanks for helping us to get into this.

By: Flea Bailey

Flea Bailey — Wed, 01 Aug 2007 15:03:31 +0000

As is often the case, one can’t always discern the controlling law solely by reading the text of the Alabama Constitution. The courts and the Attorney General have consistently interpreted this provision as not allowing an appointed judge to serve beyond her predecessor’s unexpired term.

By: anonymous

anonymous — Tue, 31 Jul 2007 22:40:04 +0000

Danny: I responded on the Press-Register entry. The short version is that I am sticking with my story after reading the Alabama Constitution. No hard feelings on calling me on it, though.

By: good riddance

good riddance — Tue, 31 Jul 2007 19:32:18 +0000

for those loathsome of activist judges, a look at his record clearly reveals see as one of the most activist judges in alabama history. he is also an ideologue who, despite his place within the justice system, believes the justice system is not the bedrock of liberty and a place to redress wrongs, but is a pesky and costly hindrance to corporate profits. this combination resulted in an activist dismantling of years of precedent and what little protection the law afforded everyday people in the mart of commerce & everyday living. he took positions & made up law that made even some his fellow conservative justices write scathing dissents acknowledging he made things up whole-cloth. fine by me if he wants to try to get into the legislature & try what he has done, but it has no place in the courts.

By: Danny

Danny — Tue, 31 Jul 2007 17:51:48 +0000

Anonymous in comment 12, I checked out what you were saying and am told by good authority that you are mistaken. I am told that any replacement for See would have to win re-election in 2008 to stay on. Otherwise, a judicial seat could avoid ever being up for election if the governor kept appointing new people at the end of the term. And, fwiw, I made mention of that in this post.

By: The World Around You » Blog Archive » I’m Back - Supreme Court Justice Harold See to Retire

Tue, 31 Jul 2007 02:22:49 +0000

[...] Supreme Court Justice See to Retire » Doc’s Political Parlor Posted Alabama Politics on Monday, July 30th, 2007. [...]

By: anonymous

anonymous — Mon, 30 Jul 2007 21:02:32 +0000

If Justice See waits past early November to step down, his appointed successor will get a pass out of the 2008 elections. Newly appointed judges sit for at least a year before having to stand for re-election. If the appointed successor is (as other commenters have suggested) Welch or Thompson, who are already appellate judges, any person succeeding that appointee also will get a pass. Done “judiciously,” a vacancy like this can make for stronger incumbents all along a promotional path from a county probate judgeship to the Supreme Court.

By: David

David — Mon, 30 Jul 2007 16:56:25 +0000

Look for Judge Bill Thompson (currently Chief Judge on the Court of Civil Appeals) to run and leave his spot open for a new comer.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Mon, 30 Jul 2007 16:43:44 +0000

If See is out, and Paseur runs as a Democrat. Doesn’t it make sense for Judge Sam Welch to run against her as a Republican since he beat her head to head in 2006?

By: Susan

Susan — Mon, 30 Jul 2007 16:05:49 +0000

I received a letter from Justice See this weekend annoncing that he would not be seeking reelection.