Opinion ID: 1230380
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: The Benefits of Incumbency

Text: I have gained my judicial jobs through popular election on four occasions. Twice (with the help of many people), I successfully stormed the castle from outside, as a challenger and non-incumbent. Twice I have stood on the battlements of office as an incumbent, and repelled the attempts of wouldbe evictors. From this experience, I understand well the benefits of incumbencyand I might add, I earned that incumbency in elections. Of course incumbency does not assure victory. But the significant weight that being in office brings to a popular electoral contest undoubtedly makes incumbency a rich asset and prize. Ifto fill a judicial vacancythe leg up of incumbency must be awarded to a person who has not earned that benefit in an election, then that benefit must be awarded in adherence to the strictest possible reading of any applicable proscriptions and limitations. Otherwise, our democratic system for judicial selection would be distorted and unfair.