4 Democratic women, all IU law grads, bring range of experiences to race for judge seat
While four women, all graduates of Indiana University's Maurer School of Law, are vying for one of the Democratic nominations for Monroe County Circuit Court judge, each of them believes they would bring something unique and needed to the courts.
The race for Monroe Circuit Court 7 doesn't include the incumbent, as Judge Stephen Galvin is retiring at the end of his term.
Carl Lamb is the sole Republican candidate for the post and will appear on the general election ballot along with the candidate who wins the Democratic primary election: either Karen Wrenbeck, Emily Ann Wilson, Emily Salzmann or Allison Chopra. Candidates from other parties could join the contest in the fall.
Galvin's seat is the only judge position on the ballot that has drawn more than one candidate. The other two have incumbent judges as the only candidates — Mary Ellen Diekhoff (D) for Monroe County Circuit Court 5, and Holly M. Harvey (D) for Monroe County Circuit Court 6. Seated judges seeking reelection in Monroe County generally are not challenged, especially by members of their own party.
More about the candidates: Judge candidates all share IU's Maurer School education, are female and under 40
While Galvin is presiding over the juvenile court in the Monroe County Circuit Court, that doesn't mean whoever is elected definitely will fill the role being vacated. Usually that's what happens, but the panel of judges can shift caseloads and the focus for each of the nine judges in the circuit court.
The four Democratic candidates, listed in alphabetical order, shared what they believe makes them different from the others and best suited for the position.
Allison Chopra
Chopra is chief deputy prosecutor in Lawrence County, where she oversees all prosecuting attorneys and their work. She's also litigated a variety of cases, including charges of murder, domestic violence and child molestation.
While her current work is in Lawrence County, Chopra served one term on the Bloomington City Council (2016-2020) and has lived in Monroe County for 20 years. She believes she knows Monroe County well, stating she knows what voters want and understands what kind of values county residents have, something she believes is invaluable for a judge.
Chopra is proud of her five years' service in the U.S. Army National Guard, stating she has "never stopped serving the county or the state of Indiana" since the age of 17. Other community service has included work as a family mediator with the Protective Order Project.
Chopra believes ensuring attorneys are ready to present at pretrial hearings would be a possible way to improve efficiency. She was a proponent of efficiency when serving on the city council as well, helping implement the four-hour limit for city council meetings. "I don't like to waste time," she said.
For more, go to https://tinyurl.com/3c6h26kj.
More: Here's how Monroe County residents can vote in the 2022 primary, early or on Election Day
Emily Salzmann
Salzmann is a managing partner at Salzmann Law, a Bloomington law firm, where her father-in-law, Carl Salzmann, is also a partner. She handles both civil and criminal cases.
Salzmann has served as a judge pro temp in 35 cases, providing her with the only judicial experience of the four candidates. She believes she better understands what it takes to be a judge, who doesn't advocate for one position but must instead listen to all the different positions presented. "I found applying the law fairly and reaching a just result made me feel like I served all of the parties well."
Serving people is what prompted Salzmann to go into law. Her fluency in Spanish is a benefit to clients who might otherwise not be able to communicate with court officials.
While efficiency is important in civil and criminal courts, Salzmann believes impartiality and fairness are foremost, especially in criminal trials. With civil cases, Salzmann believes funds to help with mediation should be utilized. Finding a balance of innovation and using the laws and systems already in place that work is essential to efficiency, she said.
For more, go to https://bit.ly/37lv6Pa.
April Ann Wilson
Wilson is a deputy prosecutor in Monroe County. She believes her personal experiences — a single mother at age 19, wife of a military service member and someone who has had to work more than one job — give her a unique perspective that would make her an ideal judge. She believes it's also taught her about compassion and community.
"I'm able to run because of people who have invested in my life," she said.
In addition to working in the Indiana Attorney General's Office, she has civil and criminal trial experience in both state and federal courts.
As a judge, Wilson said she would make sure hearings began on time and would reduce the number of pretrial conferences to help with efficiency in the courts. Expanding the use of Zoom for trials could help with efficiency and increase accessibility.
For more, go to aprilwilsonforjudge.com.
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Karen Wrenbeck
Wrenbeck is deputy public defender in Monroe County and has represented clients in civil and criminal cases. She believes her experience as a public defender makes her a better candidate, stating, "I think we need more public defenders on the bench."
In her current position, Wrenbeck said she's been able to ensure people understand their rights and what the cases against them entails. Within Monroe County, public defenders handle all types of cases, giving her a broad range of experience.
Whatever types of cases the new judge winds up handling, Wrenbeck said, "I'd be used to that and ready for the challenge."
Wrenbeck also believes using Zoom is a good way to help the courts become more efficient, allowing clients to participate without having to worry about parking, child care and other such issues.
For more, go to karenwrenbeckforjudge.com.
Contact Carol Kugler at ckugler@heraldt.com, 812-331-4359 or @ckugler on Twitter.
This article originally appeared on The Herald-Times: Monroe County Circuit Court judge race draws 4 Democratic candidates
