Letter: I am your local qualified judge candidate

I am Lesley Gomes Barlow and I am your "local resident candidate" for your next El Dorado County Superior Court Judge, and I am writing to share with you why I believe that matters.

Under our state law, a judge is not required to reside in the county where they serve. My question is, does it matter to you, the voters? The election process allows the voters to determine the qualities and qualifications they care about. As a voter myself, I would be interested in knowing there is a local qualified candidate for an open judicial seat in our county. The courts in our County decide matters that involve our residents. It could be a civil, family, or criminal matter that has had an impact in our community.

For the past 15 years, I have been living out life as a parent in our community and raising my three children who have attended our schools, played sports on our fields, and performed on our community stages. I have also been deeply blessed by worship in our local churches and the relationships I have made there. On the professional side, I have been an attorney for over 20 years with the majority of those years serving as a public employee on behalf of El Dorado County. I have spent countless hours in the courtroom and have appeared before many of our now retired and current judges. I know what works and what doesn't. I know that what happens in the courtroom directly affects our community. I have been involved in the management of our local public law library for over 10 years, having been designated to serve on behalf of two of our local judges. I helped create the first-ever Joint State and Tribal Court for Family Wellness here in our county, which became a model for others around the state. I am supported and endorsed by our local law enforcement, prosecutors, and community leaders. What this means is, I am not only qualified, I am an El Dorado County resident through and through. I’ve been here long enough to know what makes our county special and I understand the values we hold. This is my home. With this connection, I will be able to serve in a way that builds trust between our courtrooms and our community.

This year is special because, for the first time in eight years, the Governor is not appointing our next judge. The selection is also not up to the judges who are already sitting on the bench. The choice is left to you, the voters. I am your neighbor, your fellow worshiper, and your qualified local candidate and I would be so honored to serve as your next Superior Court Judge.

- Lesley Gomes Barlow