| Minnesota State-Wide Race |
“Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you
want to test a man's character, give him power."
- Abraham Lincoln
want to test a man's character, give him power."
- Abraham Lincoln
Questions & Answers...
1. Have you run for appellate court judge before?
Yes, in 2004 I ran with homemade fliers, five signs, and a website and received over 742,000 votes (37%).
In 2006 I received just under 44% of the vote, again with a very modest campaign budget ($5,000).
I believe judges need to be accountable to the people. Minnesota’s judges were always supposed to be
elected (MN Const. Art VI Sec. 7). However, the election process was basically a rubber stamp for the
incumbent because the judicial election rules prevented voters from knowing much about their judges or
any challengers. As a result judges were really only accountable to themselves and therefore if they acted
poorly or if the “power” went to their heads there really wasn’t anything you could do about it.
2. Why is there a group trying to take our right to vote on judges away? Who are "they?"
In 2002 the US Supreme Court ruled Minnesota’s judicial election process unconstitutional because it
prevented voters from knowing about their candidates. Thankfully that ruling cleared the way for voters to
learn about their judges’ positions and vote more intelligently in an election.
Because some did not like that decision a powerful group in Minnesota is now trying to take away our right
to elect judges entirely. If their effort is not stopped, we may lose our right to vote on judges. Legislation
was introduced in the Minnesota Legislature this past session to serve that end. In my opinion this would
be disastrous. Our right to vote is the central means we have to check the power held by our office
holders. I am running this time in 2008 to preserve our right to vote for our leaders—our judges in the
state of Minnesota.
3. Who are you running against?
I am not running against anyone in as much as I’m running FOR judge accountability. In the history of
Minnesota NEVER has an appellate court judge FIRST been chosen by the people of Minnesota; all have
been political appointees. I am passionate about judicial accountability and our RIGHT to choose our
leaders, not about opposing a particular person. I try to run against someone who will be serving their last
term in office. In that sense I am not really running against them, but the undisclosed political appointee
who will fill their seat when they retire before completing their term.
4. Don’t you believe in political appointments?
As an attorney I’ve been before good judges and some not so good judges. Political appointments are not
bad per se, it’s only when it becomes the rule rather than the exception that I object to its use. Our MN
Constitution states that Judges, “. . .shall be elected by the voters from the area which they are to serve...”
(MN Constitution Art. VI Sec. 7).
Judges defeat this requirement by retiring before completing their last term. Retiring before term
completion triggers the exception provision granting the Governor the power to choose a successor if the
incumbent does not complete their term.
An example of this provision's appropriate use was when Senator Paul Wellstone sadly died in a plane
crash in the last year of his term. The Governor appointed Dean Barkley to succeed Senator Wellstone
and then the people of Minnesota voted on who they wanted as their Senator.
Judges do it a bit differently. They make a practice of not completing their last term so their successor can
be appointed rather than elected. Newly appointed judges also receive a term extension so they do not
have to be subject to an election right away if the office is scheduled to be up for election that year.
Judges also receive the designation “incumbent” on the ballot. This gives the appointed judge a big
advantage in a subsequent election since if the voters know little about the candidates they most often
vote for the “incumbent” all but insuring they remain in office.
On September 5, 2008, Appellate Court Judge Bruce Willis will retire. His seat was up for election this
November 2008, but now will instead be filled with an appointment by the Governor. This again prevents
the voters from having a voice in who their judges are. I believe Abraham Lincoln's pronouncement, "...that
government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth," means "We the
People" need to be involved in choosing our leaders.
5. Why do you want to be a judge?
I believe this year 2008 is crucial because it may be one of the last year where voters still have the right to
choose who they want for their judges. I’m passionate about bringing this message to the people of
Minnesota; “WE the people need to hold our leaders accountable. It is critical that we keep our right and
freedom to choose our leaders."
“What makes America unique among nations is the idea that the power of people to govern themselves is a
birthright guaranteed to all. This guiding principle set our nation on a unique course where leaders are
chosen by free and fair elections and where the right to vote is treasured and protected.”
2008 Minnesota Sesquicentennial, MN Secretary of State’s Office Website
6. What party do you most associate yourself with?
I am not a party, but a person. Judges do not need to be independent from the people. They need to be
independent from partisan politics and accountable to the people they are to serve. It is the Judge’s job to
hear the facts, find the truth and apply the law—not rewrite it—and certainly not to review the law through
the prism of a political party.
7. How many years have you lived in “The Icebox of the Nation?”
I have lived here for 13 ½ years with my lovely wife Debbie and our four great sons Marco, Peter, Joey and
David. It is a “warm” community and a great place to raise a family. It is also where I grew up.
8. Have you always lived in Minnesota?
Yes, except when I was in the military and Debbie and I lived in Monterey, California where I studied
Russian at the Defense Language Institute. Our oldest son was born in Monterey and we moved when he
was four months old to International Falls.
9. Are you pro-life?
I am still not exactly sure how clearly I can answer questions like this without violating the restrictions on
information for judicial races. I can say my wife Debbie and I have four children and each time I saw the
ultra-sound it sure looked like our child to me.
10. What about homosexual rights?
I am for fairness and justice for all people no matter what race, sexual orientation, or economic background
they come from. I care about people. Life is about people.
11. What kind of upbringing did you have?
I guess you could say I didn’t have a “Norman Rockwell” type of family (but then who does)? I have one
brother, three sisters and two step-sisters. I was the fourth of five children coming from a broken and
alcoholic home and we didn’t have a lot of money. However, I also grew up in a great country where you
can go to college and later law school if you are willing to work. I have a good relationship with both of my
parents and my siblings. I am thankful for the hard work ethic and respect for authority that my mother
taught me and the love of my brother and sisters. As Justice Thomas said, “Old man can’t never did
anything.” I never wanted to allow my past to prevent me from improving my future.
12. What about your extended family?
I have a wonderful extended family. My wife’s parents along with her brother, his wife and their four sons
own and operate a cross country ski resort called Maplelag in northwestern Minnesota. They are great
people and it is a great place. www.maplelag.com
13. What do you like to do with your four sons?
All four boys are involved in sports and activities. I was a wrestler so we wrestle around a lot. All our boys
are in multiple sports and activities including theatre and dance (my wife Debbie has her degree in
theatre). We love to watch movies, particularly John Wayne movies, and old TV shows such as, MacGyver,
The Partridge Family and The Andy Griffith Show. We also enjoy camping, visiting Maplelag, outdoor
adventures and playing Monopoly.
14. How long have you been married?
17 years
15. What does your wife do?
Debbie is most definitely my biggest encourager and also a wonderful mother who is the C.O.O. (Chief
Operating Officer) of our home. She makes sure everyone has clean clothes, food, paid activity fees,
schedules followed, and support given. Debbie also does the many other things that only a mother can
provide. She has a degree from Gustavus Adolphus College (1989) in Speech/Theatre and is a licensed
teacher. She has a radio program called, Everyday Manna and is now on 25 stations with a 60 second
short feature encouraging people to keep their focus on what’s important. She is also a speaker at
women's retreats and conferences. You can visit her at www.debbiegriffith.com.
16. What are your hobbies? Do you play an instrument?
I love reading, traveling, hiking, historical site seeing, good food, antiques, and engaging conversations
with new and old friends and of course family. I particularly love reading old history books and
autobiographies. Wrestling is the sport I most enjoy watching (college and high school wrestling). I play
the guitar and drums and really have fun helping out various bands when called on to do so.
17. How does your faith in God affect the way you live?
I believe in God. I think every judge should. Then they will not think they have become God once they get
into office. I believe that God is real and that ultimately we will be accountable to Him when we die and that
should affect how we treat others on earth. That may be why John Jay, our First Chief Justice of the US
Supreme Court said, “We should elect of all people Christians.”
Yes, in 2004 I ran with homemade fliers, five signs, and a website and received over 742,000 votes (37%).
In 2006 I received just under 44% of the vote, again with a very modest campaign budget ($5,000).
I believe judges need to be accountable to the people. Minnesota’s judges were always supposed to be
elected (MN Const. Art VI Sec. 7). However, the election process was basically a rubber stamp for the
incumbent because the judicial election rules prevented voters from knowing much about their judges or
any challengers. As a result judges were really only accountable to themselves and therefore if they acted
poorly or if the “power” went to their heads there really wasn’t anything you could do about it.
2. Why is there a group trying to take our right to vote on judges away? Who are "they?"
In 2002 the US Supreme Court ruled Minnesota’s judicial election process unconstitutional because it
prevented voters from knowing about their candidates. Thankfully that ruling cleared the way for voters to
learn about their judges’ positions and vote more intelligently in an election.
Because some did not like that decision a powerful group in Minnesota is now trying to take away our right
to elect judges entirely. If their effort is not stopped, we may lose our right to vote on judges. Legislation
was introduced in the Minnesota Legislature this past session to serve that end. In my opinion this would
be disastrous. Our right to vote is the central means we have to check the power held by our office
holders. I am running this time in 2008 to preserve our right to vote for our leaders—our judges in the
state of Minnesota.
3. Who are you running against?
I am not running against anyone in as much as I’m running FOR judge accountability. In the history of
Minnesota NEVER has an appellate court judge FIRST been chosen by the people of Minnesota; all have
been political appointees. I am passionate about judicial accountability and our RIGHT to choose our
leaders, not about opposing a particular person. I try to run against someone who will be serving their last
term in office. In that sense I am not really running against them, but the undisclosed political appointee
who will fill their seat when they retire before completing their term.
4. Don’t you believe in political appointments?
As an attorney I’ve been before good judges and some not so good judges. Political appointments are not
bad per se, it’s only when it becomes the rule rather than the exception that I object to its use. Our MN
Constitution states that Judges, “. . .shall be elected by the voters from the area which they are to serve...”
(MN Constitution Art. VI Sec. 7).
Judges defeat this requirement by retiring before completing their last term. Retiring before term
completion triggers the exception provision granting the Governor the power to choose a successor if the
incumbent does not complete their term.
An example of this provision's appropriate use was when Senator Paul Wellstone sadly died in a plane
crash in the last year of his term. The Governor appointed Dean Barkley to succeed Senator Wellstone
and then the people of Minnesota voted on who they wanted as their Senator.
Judges do it a bit differently. They make a practice of not completing their last term so their successor can
be appointed rather than elected. Newly appointed judges also receive a term extension so they do not
have to be subject to an election right away if the office is scheduled to be up for election that year.
Judges also receive the designation “incumbent” on the ballot. This gives the appointed judge a big
advantage in a subsequent election since if the voters know little about the candidates they most often
vote for the “incumbent” all but insuring they remain in office.
On September 5, 2008, Appellate Court Judge Bruce Willis will retire. His seat was up for election this
November 2008, but now will instead be filled with an appointment by the Governor. This again prevents
the voters from having a voice in who their judges are. I believe Abraham Lincoln's pronouncement, "...that
government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth," means "We the
People" need to be involved in choosing our leaders.
5. Why do you want to be a judge?
I believe this year 2008 is crucial because it may be one of the last year where voters still have the right to
choose who they want for their judges. I’m passionate about bringing this message to the people of
Minnesota; “WE the people need to hold our leaders accountable. It is critical that we keep our right and
freedom to choose our leaders."
“What makes America unique among nations is the idea that the power of people to govern themselves is a
birthright guaranteed to all. This guiding principle set our nation on a unique course where leaders are
chosen by free and fair elections and where the right to vote is treasured and protected.”
2008 Minnesota Sesquicentennial, MN Secretary of State’s Office Website
6. What party do you most associate yourself with?
I am not a party, but a person. Judges do not need to be independent from the people. They need to be
independent from partisan politics and accountable to the people they are to serve. It is the Judge’s job to
hear the facts, find the truth and apply the law—not rewrite it—and certainly not to review the law through
the prism of a political party.
7. How many years have you lived in “The Icebox of the Nation?”
I have lived here for 13 ½ years with my lovely wife Debbie and our four great sons Marco, Peter, Joey and
David. It is a “warm” community and a great place to raise a family. It is also where I grew up.
8. Have you always lived in Minnesota?
Yes, except when I was in the military and Debbie and I lived in Monterey, California where I studied
Russian at the Defense Language Institute. Our oldest son was born in Monterey and we moved when he
was four months old to International Falls.
9. Are you pro-life?
I am still not exactly sure how clearly I can answer questions like this without violating the restrictions on
information for judicial races. I can say my wife Debbie and I have four children and each time I saw the
ultra-sound it sure looked like our child to me.
10. What about homosexual rights?
I am for fairness and justice for all people no matter what race, sexual orientation, or economic background
they come from. I care about people. Life is about people.
11. What kind of upbringing did you have?
I guess you could say I didn’t have a “Norman Rockwell” type of family (but then who does)? I have one
brother, three sisters and two step-sisters. I was the fourth of five children coming from a broken and
alcoholic home and we didn’t have a lot of money. However, I also grew up in a great country where you
can go to college and later law school if you are willing to work. I have a good relationship with both of my
parents and my siblings. I am thankful for the hard work ethic and respect for authority that my mother
taught me and the love of my brother and sisters. As Justice Thomas said, “Old man can’t never did
anything.” I never wanted to allow my past to prevent me from improving my future.
12. What about your extended family?
I have a wonderful extended family. My wife’s parents along with her brother, his wife and their four sons
own and operate a cross country ski resort called Maplelag in northwestern Minnesota. They are great
people and it is a great place. www.maplelag.com
13. What do you like to do with your four sons?
All four boys are involved in sports and activities. I was a wrestler so we wrestle around a lot. All our boys
are in multiple sports and activities including theatre and dance (my wife Debbie has her degree in
theatre). We love to watch movies, particularly John Wayne movies, and old TV shows such as, MacGyver,
The Partridge Family and The Andy Griffith Show. We also enjoy camping, visiting Maplelag, outdoor
adventures and playing Monopoly.
14. How long have you been married?
17 years
15. What does your wife do?
Debbie is most definitely my biggest encourager and also a wonderful mother who is the C.O.O. (Chief
Operating Officer) of our home. She makes sure everyone has clean clothes, food, paid activity fees,
schedules followed, and support given. Debbie also does the many other things that only a mother can
provide. She has a degree from Gustavus Adolphus College (1989) in Speech/Theatre and is a licensed
teacher. She has a radio program called, Everyday Manna and is now on 25 stations with a 60 second
short feature encouraging people to keep their focus on what’s important. She is also a speaker at
women's retreats and conferences. You can visit her at www.debbiegriffith.com.
16. What are your hobbies? Do you play an instrument?
I love reading, traveling, hiking, historical site seeing, good food, antiques, and engaging conversations
with new and old friends and of course family. I particularly love reading old history books and
autobiographies. Wrestling is the sport I most enjoy watching (college and high school wrestling). I play
the guitar and drums and really have fun helping out various bands when called on to do so.
17. How does your faith in God affect the way you live?
I believe in God. I think every judge should. Then they will not think they have become God once they get
into office. I believe that God is real and that ultimately we will be accountable to Him when we die and that
should affect how we treat others on earth. That may be why John Jay, our First Chief Justice of the US
Supreme Court said, “We should elect of all people Christians.”
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