In an exceptionally hard-fought judicial race, two south-metro lawyers are challenging First District Judge Timothy Blakely, whom the Minnesota Supreme Court suspended for six months over misconduct, in next week's primary election.
Blakely, who has returned to his chambers in Red Wing and hears many cases in Dakota, Scott and Goodhue counties, is running for his third term in the expansive First District, which also includes four other counties. His six-year term ends in January.
Such challenges are unusual in nonpartisan judicial elections because, typically, a sitting judge has an overwhelming advantage.
But in this race, Blakely's opponents are planting lawn signs, marching in parades, meeting with groups and using their websites to remind voters of Blakely's ethical lapses.
In Minnesota, at least three-quarters of judicial elections are uncontested, said David Schultz, author and nationally recognized law professor at Hamline University.
"To have one challenger is unusual; to have two challengers is incredibly unusual. That clearly makes the race unique," he said.
During the campaign, Blakely continues to stay on the bench, hearing cases. Opponent Lawrence (Larry) Clark continues to prosecute serious crimes for the Dakota County attorney's office. But Stephen Baker, a former prosecutor who specializes in family law, has put most of his practice on hold to campaign full time. Baker has peppered the south metro with hundreds of lawn signs -- so many that observers say it's like nothing they've seen in a judicial race.
In a district so big, he said, the lawn signs are the most effective way to campaign.
