When one of our district’s Court of Appeals seats became vacant after the November 2019 election, I thought that my temperament, experience, and expertise would make me well suited to serve, and I decided to pursue the seat. My plan was to seek Governor Beshear’s appointment to fill the remainder of the term until the next election, and then if I got the appointment, to run for election during the 2020 cycle.
The appointment process moved slowly, however, and the filing deadline for the election came before the appointment occurred. Still hoping to be appointed to the seat and then to run as an incumbent, I filed for the election.
From that point, I was halfway in two worlds – working to get appointed to the seat and also working as a neophyte politician to launch a campaign from scratch. My team developed a website and Facebook page, designed yard signs, worked on a plan to get out-and-about to the 24 counties of the 1st Judicial District, and even put together a campaign jingle (with a lot of help from a local musician). Some friends hosted an impromptu fundraiser party for me around Mardi Gras. We’d planned a kickoff event for March 23 and printed invitations.
Coronavirus cancelled our kickoff event, but the work continued. I interviewed with the judicial nominating commission (on what would coincidentally be my kids’ last day of school for the year) and was chosen as one of three nominees sent to the Governor for his selection for the Court of Appeals. Ultimately, though, my efforts fell short, and I was not appointed to the position.
Although I remained excited about the position and continued to feel I was the most qualified of the candidates, I found myself a novice politician running in a 24-county district with little-to-no name recognition, no benefit of incumbency, and, in the present COVID-19 environment, no way to get out and meet people. Although I looked earnestly for a path to victory, I have reluctantly come to accept that such a path just doesn’t exist at this time.
So, it is with a heavy heart, but a clear head, that I have decided to withdraw from the race. I apologize to those of you who may have already cast a vote for me. Believe me, this decision is not one I reach lightly. I appreciate everyone’s support and excitement, and I’m sorry I couldn’t deliver an election victory.
As for those who contributed to my campaign, be sure to watch your mail over the next several days. Because I have discontinued my campaign before election day, I have decided to refund all donations in full.
Stay safe everyone, and thanks for your support.
Integrity and Experience that Matters
About Jason
Jason has earned a reputation as an excellent writer and a skilled and ethical litigator. Fellow lawyers and judges have honored him with a Martindale-Hubbell AV-Preeminent ranking, a distinction reserved for the top ten percent of all attorneys nationwide.
Kentucky Court of Appeals
"So Jason, I hear you’re running for the Court of Appeals? What exactly is that?"
Several folks have asked me what judgeship I’m seeking. While a lot of people are familiar with their local District Judges and Circuit Judges, many don’t know what the Court of Appeals does, and most cannot name any of their Court of Appeals Judges. Nonetheless, despite its relative anonymity, the Court of Appeals does important work.
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