I have been an attorney for 25 years.  I was born and raised in Fresno, California.  I completed college at California State University, Fresno and then attended law school in San Diego. After completing law school I was admitted as a lawyer to the State Bar of California in 1983 and returned to Fresno to begin practicing law.  My entire legal career has been devoted to representing the people of Fresno County.

I am married with two children, a boy just beginning college and a girl who is a junior in high school.  I am a proud resident of the Sunnyside area of Southeast Fresno.  Sanger has been our second home, as my children have always attended schools in the Sanger Unified School District – a Fresno County school district that I hold in high regard. Principal Dan Chacon of Sanger High School has endorsed my candidacy for Superior Court Judge. My wife is an active member of the Sanger High School PTA.

I am running a low budget campaign for Fresno County Superior Court Judge.  I am not bankrolled by any organizations, law firms, or special interest groups.  I have no campaign manager. With little money, it has been a real challenge to get my name out to the public and a challenge to deliver my message that I am not only the best choice for this judicial seat but also the most experienced and best qualified candidate to serve the People of Fresno County as a Superior Court Judge.

I have more experience as an attorney than any of the other candidates for this office.  I have many years of experience as a trial attorney and have tried many cases to verdict before a jury.  I also bring management and organizational experience to the table.  As a Chief County Attorney in the Office of the Public Defender I have managed and supervised large groups of attorneys handling some of the most complex and high profile cases in Fresno County.  I have been instrumental for many years in keeping the Fresno County Superior Courts properly staffed and organized so as to efficiently conduct the public’s business. 

I believe that the most important factors in being a good and effective judge are to have experience, maturity, integrity, and the organizational skills necessary to run a courtroom properly and efficiently.  I have these qualities, I have this background, and I have the desire and ability to do an excellent job as a judge for the People of Fresno County.  I take seriously that a judge holds a special position in the public trust and owes a responsibility to the public to fairly apply the law to all persons that come before the court regardless of the type of case that is being heard and regardless of the person’s race, gender, religion, or economic status.

I ask for your vote on June 3, 2008, for the position of Fresno County Superior Court Judge and I pledge to you that you will have voted for a candidate that has the experience, fortitude, and desire to serve the People of Fresno County in a fair, effective, and conscientious manner.