Awtrey and Sartori: Encouraging a vote for Harry for judge

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We are proud to have supported Shanda Harry’s campaign for Lake County Superior Court judge since its inception.

We were excited, but not surprised, that many other voters saw all of her great credentials and made her the top candidate in the June primaries. But because there were three candidates in the race, Ms. Harry could not attain the 50 percent plus 1 threshold needed to win outright.

In the final days of the runoff election, we are reaching out to the rest of the voters in Lake County to ask you to join with us in voting for Shanda Harry on Nov. 6. She will make a first-class judge who will work hard with the highest level of integrity, treating all in her courtroom with dignity and respect.

She has exciting plans to access state funds for mental health court and more self-help services for defendants who are representing themselves.

Ms. Harry has been a lawyer for 18 years. She has worked as an associate in large law firms, as general counsel for Robinson Rancheria, as an Indian Child Welfare Act attorney, as deputy district attorney and, for the last six years, as deputy county counsel, with experience at the appellate and Superior Court levels.

The breadth of her experience makes her a particularly useful judge to the Lake County judiciary which is understaffed and needs flexibility – she can be scheduled to hear a wide diversity of cases.

Most importantly, she has the will and can-do attitude to accomplish a lot for all in this county. Look at how much she has accomplished in the last eight months in her campaign while working full-time and raising a 6-year-old daughter.

Once in a while, we get asked, “How old is she? Is she old enough to be a judge?” Ms. Harry is 45 years old.

As a comparison:

Brian Martin, our sheriff, was 42 years old when he was elected in 2014 and we can see from his great performance that he was definitely ready to be sheriff.

Bruno Sabatier, mayor of Clearlake and incoming District 2 Lake County Supervisor, is 39.

EJ Crandall, tribal chair of the Robinson Band of Pomo Indians, former Planning Commissioner, incoming District 3 Lake County Supervisor, is 41.

And our own District 4, Lake County Supervisor Tina Scott, for whom we have the highest regard and also supported during her entire campaign, is 45.

And all of these great leaders along with hundreds more are enthusiastically supporting Shanda.

Please join us on Nov. 6 in voting for this remarkable candidate, Shanda Harry as Lake County Superior Court judge.

Doyle Awtrey and Steve Sartori lives in Lakeport, Calif.