Last evening I was honored to attend a gathering at Emanu-el Temple to hear retired Justice Stephen Breyer speak about his new book. Justice Breyer stressed the importance of judiciary independence and I couldn't agree more.
We shouldn't be able to predict how a judge will rule due to their political leanings. Everyone who appears in court is entitled to be heard solely on the law and its applicability to the facts in their case.
Independence of the media is also vital to our democracy. Journalists act as an unofficial fourth branch of government to place checks and balances on the other three branches. I firmly stand with the First Amendment rights of the press. However, there is a fine line between free speech and election interference.
It is of paramount importance that our media remain bias-free. People rely on the news to get their information, and when this information affects the vote it needs to be aboveboard and beyond reproach. It is reprehensible for a journalist to write hit pieces against opponents solely for the purpose of helping their friends' campaign. I was recently victimized by a front page, two page spread literally going for my jugular. The editor of the newspaper himself wrote the article, seemingly full of misinformation, half-truths, and mischaracterizations. I was really stunned and couldn't wrap my head around it, because the media rarely gives any attention to the judicial races. Lo and behold! My opponent made a new Twitter/X account and guess who one of his first followers was? Surprise, surprise, the very same editor who wrote that hit piece against me.
This alarming turn of events has strengthened my resolve to double-down on my efforts to free the judiciary of outside influence. I am the only candidate in the Queens judiciary race that refused to scrub my social media posts prior to running. I left my posts intact so that the voters could easily search them and understand who I am as a person and how my thinking has developed over time. I am the only candidate running for the civil court to date (5/9/24) who has posted a CV on my website so the voters can scrutinize my background and qualifications.
Unlike my opponent, you won't find me posting videos proclaiming to be "one of the most highly qualified people to run for judgeship in the history of Queens." The only people who can determine this is the voters, so that's why I instead urge folks to do their due diligence to see for themselves. Look at the judicial candidates' websites, peruse their resumes (if you can find them), and attend their speaking events. Another thing I will suggest is to look at the financial filings which are available to the public. Who are the big donors to the campaign? How diverse are the people giving the funds? Judicial candidates are not allowed under the ethical rules to see their own financials, but I have instructed my treasurer not to take any donation over $1k from folks we don't know, and to keep donations from my friends, family and close associates under $10k. I'm not interested in buying a judgeship or entangling myself with puppet strings. These judicial seats belong to We the People, and I leave it to the voters to decide if I'm the right choice.
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