Community Commentary -- Gay Geiser-Sandoval

It is with total despair that I read where eight lawyers are now

thinking about running against Judge Ronald Kline as write-in candidates

(“Robinson launches campaign for judgeship,� Jan. 9). By splitting up the

votes of those that are educated about Kline’s indictment for child

pornography and arrest for child abuse, we will hand Kline the election.

I can already read the headlines throughout the nation on March 6,

“Orange County reelects indicted judge because 8 lawyers ran against him

as write-in candidates.�

My struggle against Kline has already appeared in newspapers as far

away as Florida, so this race is a statement to the nation. Is the legal

community of Orange County petty enough to have eight write-in candidates

scrapping for votes against an incumbent judge whose name will appear on

the ballot? Or, will we unite to show our kids that we don’t elect judges

who are indicted and accused of such heinous crimes?

Do we tell the taxpayers to keep paying Kline’s salary for years? We

could if we reelect him and his case takes years to get through the trial

and appeal process. Taxpayers have paid his salary of $133,000 a year

since Nov. 9 even though he is on home detention.

On Nov. 28, the day after his indictment, both countywide newspapers

reported that I would take on the battle to unseat Kline. My struggle was

no secret. As a former deputy district attorney who prosecuted child

molesters, I believed it was my duty. My efforts ensured that Kline’s

name is on the ballot and that there can even be a write-in candidate.

Where were the other potential candidates then?

Let’s not hand this election to Kline with a slew of write-in

candidates further confusing the voters. Let’s do what is right for the

community. United we stand. Divided, Judge Kline wins.

* GAY GEISER-SANDOVAL is a former Daily Pilot columnist and a write-in

candidate for Orange County Superior Court Judge.