judgesonmerit.org

We’ve posted here and here about how important it is to have “the right name” when running for judge.  In some cases, familiar names or “ethnic sounding” names have contributed to a candidate’s success at the polls.

Now, the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports that the victorious candidate in both the Republican and Democratic primaries for a district judge seat credits her success to having a good name.  Maureen McGraw-Desmet, daughter of sitting judge Elaine McGraw, whose seat is being filled by this election, notes the effect of name recognition in her electoral victory:

McGraw-Desmet conceded that name recognition helped her win 37 percent of the 2,536 votes cast in the Democratic primary last month and 30 percent of the 1,337 votes in the Republican primary. . . . “Undoubtedly, my mother’s good reputation as district judge went a long way toward helping me win.”

Judicial elections are too eaily influenced by factors unrelated to a candidate’s qualfications to serve — including ballot position, fundraising ability, political party support, and having “the right name.”

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