At least three south-metro lawyers have announced they'll run against incumbent Judge Timothy Blakely, who recently returned to the bench after a six-month suspension for profiting from his position. And at least two of the challengers are already making an issue of what they call Blakely's ethical failings.
Announcing their candidacy are Lawrence (Larry) Clark, an assistant Dakota County attorney from Red Wing, and two lawyers who specialize in family law: Shelly Rohr of Hastings and Stephen Baker of Lakeville.
Blakely received a discount of more than $64,000 on his personal divorce bill by steering 17 people from his courtroom to his attorney. The Minnesota Supreme Court suspended Blakely without pay for violating the Code of Judicial Conduct.
On his campaign website, Clark says, "Judge Blakely has failed to live up to the trust placed in him by the people of the First Judicial District."
He continues: "As a judge, I promise to not let my personal interests interfere with my decisions."
Baker's website also makes a thinly veiled reference to the Blakely scandal: "It is time for a real judge in the first district and you can do something about it," the website says. Among his beliefs, Baker says on the site, is that a judge should "demonstrate professional ethics."
Rohr, meanwhile, said she's running because she began her career as a law clerk in Dakota County and wants to get back into public service after years in private practice. Blakely has presided in family court, and Rohr said she believes her experience in that area can help bring changes.
Blakely was on the bench Wednesday in Hastings and could not be reached for comment.
