Lenawee County district judge position on Aug. 2 ballot; four seeking the bench

ADRIAN — Lenawee County voters on Aug. 2 will advance two of four candidates running to complete a term as Lenawee County district judge.

Lenawee County District Judge Todd M. Morgan is looking to remain in the position to which Gov. Gretchen Whitmer appointed him this spring. Also running to advance to November’s general election are Christopher Fleming, Ashley Hanson-Grimes and David Lacasse.

The two who receive the most votes in the Aug. 2 primary will appear on the November ballot.

The seat is up for election four years ahead of schedule because District Judge Jonathan L. Poer retired in January. Whoever is elected will complete Poer’s unexpired term.

The Daily Telegram provided questionnaires to the candidates. The following are their responses, edited lightly for clarity. Because of the length of the responses, this story is being run in two parts. Lacasse and Morgan are in this story. Fleming and Hanson-Grimes were profiled on July 18.

More: Four running for Lenawee County district judge in Aug. 2 primary election

David Lacasse

AGE: 57.

RESIDENCE: Tecumseh.

SPOUSE AND NUMBER OF CHILDREN:  Ann E. Lacasse; three adult children: Victoria, Jack and Elizabeth.

EDUCATION: Bachelor's degree from Ambassador University in Pasadena, California, and law degree from Michigan State University College of Law.

CURRENT EMPLOYER: Partner at Schaedler & Lacasse PC in Adrian since 2009.

PAST EMPLOYMENT: Associate attorney at Wilson Young PLC in Detroit, 2007-09; law clerk at Phillip A. Schaedler PLLC in Adrian, 2006; judicial intern at Michigan Court of Appeals, Prehearing Division, in Lansing, 2005; insurance agent for Farm Bureau Insurance in Tecumseh, 1994-2007; senior liability claims adjuster for Farm Bureau Insurance in Plymouth, 1993-1994; senior liability claims adjuster for State Farm Insurance in West Covina, California, 1989-93

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT: In the past, I have been a member of the Tecumseh Kiwanis. My wife and I were coaches for Adrian Habitat for Humanity. I am also involved as chair of the board of elders and worship leader at Grace Point Evangelical Free Church. My wife is the principal at Michener Elementary School in Adrian, and I have been involved as a mentor in her school.

WHY DO YOU WANT TO BE DISTRICT JUDGE? I became an attorney to help people. Serving as district judge allows me to make a positive impact on many more people, often in their most distressed time. Lenawee County deserves someone who is fair, knowledgeable and experienced. I have the temperament and training as a facilitative mediator to be fair. I have been involved on both sides in virtually every type of case that can come before the court: criminal, landlord-tenant, civil litigation. I will treat people with dignity and respect, no matter who they are or what brings them before me. My wife and I have lived in Lenawee County for 29 years and raised our children here. My goal is to make a positive impact through the district court bench.

WHAT WOULD BE YOUR PRIORITIES IF ELECTED? My top priority will be to protect the community through appropriate setting of bond and sentencing.

We have some great treatment courts to assist offenders from re-offending. As another priority, I will investigate adding a Veterans Court to address the specific needs of our veterans.

Additionally I will ensure that my district courtroom is more efficient. I will be prepared for the cases that appear before me. It is on me not to waste people’s time.

I will also expand access to facilitative mediation so people can reach solutions in their matters more efficiently, less expensively and more quickly.

WHY SHOULD PEOPLE VOTE FOR YOU? The people of Lenawee County deserve a voice and a choice in who serves as district court judge. They deserve a judge who is fair, knowledgeable and experienced. I am a local prosecutor and have represented criminal defendants. I have represented landlords and tenants. I have represented plaintiffs and defendants in civil cases. As a facilitative mediator, I have experience in maintaining neutrality as I listen to parties in stressful situations. I will apply the law fairly and will treat everyone who appears in my courtroom with respect. It is not a judge’s job to make law. It is a judge’s job to interpret the law as written and apply it fairly to the case at hand. That is my commitment if I am elected.

Todd Morgan

AGE: 54.

RESIDENCE: Clinton.

SPOUSE AND NUMBER OF CHILDREN: Melissa Morgan and four adult children.

EDUCATION: Associate degree from Alpena Community College, bachelor’s of business administration and master’s of business administration from Cleary University, law degree from Thomas M. Cooley Law School.

CURRENT EMPLOYER: Lenawee County 2A District Court judge since April 11, 2022.

PAST EMPLOYMENT: Lenawee County public defender, 2020-22; owner of Law Office of Todd M. Morgan PLLC in Adrian, 2010-2020; financial analyst at the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs in Lansing, 2004-11; forensic security aide at the Michigan Department of Community Health in Ypsilanti, 1994-2004; nuclear machinist mate in the U.S. Navy, 1986-1992.

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT: Current: Lenawee Salvation Army board member, Kiwanis of Adrian member, Kiwanis Foundation president, Clinton American Legion deputy commander, Clinton Friends of the Library member, Clinton United Methodist Church Sunday School co-superintendent and Clinton United Methodist Church lay speaker. Previous: Housing Help of Lenawee board member, Habitat for Humanity of Lenawee board member, Michigan Pro Bono Initiative through the Michigan Bar Association, Marriages That Work financial officer, Clinton Village Council member, substitute teacher and Thomas M. Cooley Service to Soldiers program.

WHY DO YOU WANT TO BE DISTRICT JUDGE? I have served my country in the Navy, my family as a single parent, my state and the mentally ill in a mental health hospital prison, and again my state and the disabled at Michigan Rehabilitation Services, and my clients as an attorney.  I then served my clients as a public defender. I now serve my community as the sitting judge in 2A District Court. I know, with the experience I have as the current judge, how much this position means and how I am able to serve this community and I wish to continue serving Lenawee County and being just and equitable for Lenawee County.

WHAT WOULD BE YOUR PRIORITIES IF ELECTED? To always be just and equitable. To listen to all sides. To make sure the defendant is treated fairly and with respect while also ensuring the victim is heard and feels that they are heard. To be a rule of law judge and follow the law and the case law before me.

WHY SHOULD PEOPLE VOTE FOR YOU? I have real world experience. Having been in the military, a single parent, working in a mental health hospital prison, MBA, and a financial analyst, all makes me a better judge. I also give back to our community, volunteering in many ways.

I have the experience as an attorney to be your 2A District Court judge. I earned a 100% scholarship to law school; earned my law degree magna cum laude in 2010; I worked in circuit, probate and district court and then as a public defender assigned to 2A District Court.

I have the life experience, legal experience, temperament and commitment to be just and equitable as the current 2A District Court judge. I am the right person for this position for Lenawee County.

This article originally appeared on The Daily Telegram: Lenawee County District judge candidates David Lacasse and Todd Morgan