Instead, their race has focused on experience and character. Neither candidate is an incumbent. The seat opened up when former County Court Judge Martha Lott moved up to fill a circuit judge slot. Kotey said she decided to run for judge after encouragement from peers. I decided to take advantage of the opportunity.
Vacancies are rare.
One issue that Kotey has been able to speak out about is alternative sentencing. Kotey also is in favor of an alternative way to expedite cases and unclog the system. Mediation is a good way to do that. One way Kotey has talked to the community is through forums, where she has endorsed the idea that judges should be accessible to the working person by being available beyond regular office hours. Selling herself is something that Kotey said she has found difficult to do during the race.