In St. Charles County – like most Missouri counties – circuit judges run for election with a letter behind their name. This season I’ve seen a lot of yard and lot signs for judges out that way, with an ad in the July 20th edition of Mid Rivers Newsmagazine catching my eye.
Jeff Sandcork is a DUI and criminal defense lawyer wanting to join the bench. The ad notes that he is a member of the St. Charles County Pachyderms; three bar associations, the O’Fallon Rotary and the local chambers of commerce, as well as Birthright of St. Charles and the NRA.
Let’s look at that list…
The pachyderms have been around about 70 years as a GOP lunch and talk group. Very traditional Republicans, for the most part, though their recent speaker list includes election deniers such as Vickie Hartzler and a representative from Americans For Prosperity – a third front group which loves to attack Democrats without being bothered by facts.
Birthright probably counts many GOP officials as their supporters. Still, in a post-Roe world where most judges in Missouri and many other states face having to rule if an ‘emergency’ medical procedure is necessary, should a sitting judge be a member and a donor to a group now aimed not just at abortion but at contraception?
Remember, it is NRA dogma that more guns on the street is a good thing. Even the modest idea of restricting assault rifle purchases to those over age 21 was attacked – and killed – by the NRA. As a member of the NRA, would a Judge Sandcork support prosecution of a gun owner or would he endorse the “God gave us guns” position?
In short, judges need to be above reproach. Yes, in a political environment they have to side with the Democrats or the Republicans. Still, is a judge with strong ties to special interest groups a good idea? That’s for voters – and appeals judges – to weigh.
Almost forgot…
Sandcork scored a winner as his campaign treasurer: a St. Charles Community College board member and board president with a long history in education. She is also very tuned into the St. Charles County courts. Her late husband was a judge. And, Shirley Lohmar’s son is St. Charles County Prosecutor Tim Lohmar.
Yes, in the incestuous world of the St. Charles County courthouse having the prosecutor’s mom as your campaign treasurer is a smart move.
Glenn Koenen
Header photo by EKATERINA BOLOVTSOVA on Pexels.com
Mr. Sandcork’s photo is from his campaign website.