BY CHRIS FELKER
Circuit Court Judge Diana Lewis was ousted from the bench by attorney Jessica Ticktin, who collected 54.4 percent of the votes cast in their Group 14 race on the Aug. 26 primary ballot.
In the other 15th Judicial Circuit race, a three-way Group 30 contest to replace retiring Circuit Court Judge Lucy Chernow Brown, West Palm Beach lawyer Jaimie Goodman found his third run for the bench to be the charm, garnering 54.9 percent of the vote to claim the seat.
Ticktin, a Boca Raton attorney, took 55,181 votes (54.4 percent) to the 46,175 votes (45.6 percent) garnered by Lewis.
Lewis became the first sitting Palm Beach County judge to be dismissed by voters in six years. Richard Wennet was the last incumbent to lose, in 2008.
Goodman, who spent more than $500,000 of his own money in three campaigns for the bench, received 54,602 votes (54.9 percent), enough to avoid a runoff. His opponents, Maxine Cheesman and Peggy Rowe-Linn, got 16,661 votes (16.8 percent) and 28,128 votes (28.3 percent), respectively.
In her campaign, Ticktin cited a 2013 Palm Beach County Bar Association survey that had rated Lewis’ courtroom demeanor, impartiality and knowledge of statute last among the county’s 34 circuit court judges, and she believes that resonated with voters. She also said she was prepared for whatever the outcome.
“I didn’t know what to expect, so I was surprised, and I would’ve been surprised with any outcome,” she said, crediting her backers for getting voters to the polls. “I had an overwhelming amount of support from the legal community, and I think that’s what really brought me over the top in this race.”
Ticktin credited Lewis for running a good campaign but said she felt it was her duty to make voters aware of the incumbent’s record of having rulings overturned on appeal and being dismissive toward participants in court proceedings.
“I hated to have to bring out the negative facts, but the truth is, those were the facts, and I felt that it was important for voters to know that,” she said. “I do think it resonated with them when they cast their vote. I will say Judge Lewis deserves to be recognized for her service to Palm Beach County for the last 12 years.”
Ticktin is excited about the new opportunity. “I’m really looking forward to it, and I’m honored. I can’t wait,” she said.
For his part, Goodman said he thought the money he spent was not such a big contributor to his victory.
“I think the main factors were my community involvement and the amount of time that I spent out in the community, and the fact that I never gave up — and, of course, my more than 31 years of legal experience,” he said. “It was really a privilege to run against my two opponents, who also ran strong campaigns, but I’m very gratified that I received close to 55 percent of the vote in a three-person race. I think that speaks volumes.”
The criticism leveled against him by Rowe-Linn that he did not have enough trial experience to become a judge did sting, he said, but he felt vindicated by the outcome.
“With more than 30 years of courtroom experience, I will hit the ground running. I will use all the drive and passion that I’ve used over the last four years out in our community to become the best circuit court judge I can be and to serve the people of Palm Beach County with pride and distinction,” Goodman said. “I’m very grateful to the voters of Palm Beach County for giving me the opportunity to serve our community as Group 30 circuit court judge in January of 2015. It will be an honor to follow in the footsteps of such a well-respected judge, Lucy Chernow Brown.”
Ticktin, who spent $200,000 of her own money in her first campaign for the bench, believed it was necessary and worth it.
“I spent what I was willing to lose,” she said. “I’d also like to say that I don’t believe the things other people have said about buying a campaign. There have been plenty of other candidates before me who’ve spent a great deal of money and didn’t win. It’s not about the money, or buying a campaign. The money I put in was to be able to compete with a very well-known and very well-supported incumbent judge. I don’t think I would’ve been able to compete if I didn’t have the funding.”
Ticktin, 35, will become one of the youngest circuit court judges.
“I just want to thank all of my supporters,” she said. “I am humbled by the amount of support and all the people who rallied around me. I’m honored to serve as the next circuit judge for Group 14. I’m looking forward to making everyone proud. I’m honored, I’m humbled and I’m excited to start this new chapter.”
