« Ind. Decisions - More on: Court of Appeals revives suit challenging state's school finance system [Updated] | Main | Ind. Court - Judge files suit against school to avoid statute of limitations »

Saturday, May 03, 2008

Ind. Courts - "Lennington scandal could play role in race for Delaware Circuit Court 5"

The ILB has not been posting pre-election stories this week listing who is running in the primary judicial races, as they would be quickly superceded next week by stories about the general election candidates. This Delaware County Circuit Court, however, is an exception. Rick Yencer writes today in the Muncie Star-Press:

The scandal that led the resignation of Delaware Circuit Court 5 Judge Wayne Lennington this spring might have a big impact on who will succeed him.

Republican attorney Chris Teagle, 48, is all but assured appointment to the Circuit 5 bench by Republican Gov. Mitch Daniels after Lennington's resignation is effective May 15. He runs unopposed in the primary.

The Democratic primary is another story. The race for the Circuit 5 court is the biggest on the local ballot with plenty of money and politics, among the three contenders - former juvenile referee Tom Cannon Jr., deputy prosecutor Ron Henderson, and Kimberly Dowling, a former deputy prosecutor and former support court and master commissioner.
Lennington, 77, initially announced his re-election last winter, but became embroiled in investigations involving possible judicial misconduct and alleged crime involving his business interests.

The Indiana Judicial Qualifications Commission suspended its investigation after Lennington agreed to resign, while state and local authorities have declined to comment on the ongoing criminal investigation. * * *

The Circuit 5 race has attracted the most money of any local primary contest with more than $45,000 raised among the three candidates. Cannon raised the most $21,097 and put $10,000 of his own money into the campaign. Henderson was next at $14,250 with $6,400 coming from his pocket. Dowling had $10,045 mostly from family and friends.

Experience also weighs heavily in this contest with all three candidates veterans in the courtroom. Cannon is the senior with 34 years in legal practice. Dowling has 23 and Henderson 14.

Posted by Marcia Oddi on May 3, 2008 09:35 AM
Posted to Indiana Courts