Tuesday, Aug. 14 is primary election day in Florida. In the lead up to the election, the Town-Crier is offering our opinions on some of the candidates voters will find on the ballot. This week, we make endorsements in the races for Palm Beach County Property Appraiser, Palm Beach County Supervisor of Elections and the various judicial races on the ballot.
CIRCUIT COURT RACES — Palm Beach County does not have a history of attorneys challenging competent incumbent judges. In most cases, judges get elected and serve until they retire. Not so this year. On Aug. 14, three incumbent judges are facing challengers: Judge Tim McCarthy faces former Palm Beach Gardens Councilwoman Jody Lane in Group 2, Judge Ron Alvarez faces attorney Jaimie Goodman in Group 9, and Judge James Martz faces attorney Margherita Downey in Group 26. All the challengers might make fine judges, but not this year. McCarthy, Alvarez and Martz have all done good things on the bench, and none has done anything that warrants being removed. The Town-Crier supports returning the three incumbent circuit court judges to the bench.
