Judge Lets Candidate Use Maiden Name on Ballot

SANTA ANA — A deputy district attorney can use her maiden name on the ballot in her race for Superior Court judge against her former boss, a judge ruled Wednesday.

Superior Court Judge Tully Seymour rejected arguments that the candidate should either be listed by her married name or thrown off the ballot. “I think she always had the maiden name and always had the right to use it,” Seymour said, allowing the candidate to run as Stephanie George.

The suit was filed by retired Marine Lt. Col. Otto Schmidlen. Stephanie George Deamon and her legal team have charged that her opponent, former Dist. Atty. Mike Capizzi, is behind the suit. They have called the legal action sexist and Capizzi cowardly for not bringing the legal action himself.

Schmidlen’s attorney, David Robinson, argued that the state election code required the candidate to use her married name, under which she is registered to vote. He also argued that by using her maiden name, George was making it more difficult for the public and the news media to check out her background.

George and her attorneys said the suit was an attempt to force her to use a name under which she is less well known in law enforcement and legal circles.