​​San Diego Superior Court judges are an essential part of our legal system and who we choose to endorse with our votes in the midterm elections has large implications for the future of our county. During this election season, there are two candidates running for office 35 of the court, both of whom are extremely qualified and experienced in their respective fields. Out of the two candidates, Rebecca Kanter and Mike Murphy, I believe that Rebecca Kanter would be more suited to the role as a new San Diego Superior Court judge. 

Having worked as the Assistant U.S. Attorney for 19 years, Kanter has no shortage of experience in the legal world. Being responsible for all pre-trial, trial, and post-conviction matters, she has a deep understanding of the courtroom and is even quite experienced as a judge. Kanter has acted as a Volunteer Judge Pro Tem for the San Diego Superior Court. 

As context, Superior Court judges provide services for district courts, the first level of trial in our court system. They proceed over many different kinds of cases, from civil to criminal, and play a huge role in carrying out and applying laws in our everyday lives. Any offense, whether it be as minor as a parking ticket or as extreme as serial murder, has to go through district courts first before it’s appealed to a higher one. This is why voters should be educated and engaged, as an inexperienced and unfit judge could break the balance in our legal system. 

Opposing candidate Mike Murphy, on the other hand, though having extensive experience as a Deputy Attorney General and as a prosecutor, has not had any familiarity with being a judge at all. This demonstrates how though both are accomplished in their respective fields, Kanter is more fit to take the position, already having work experience. 

Furthermore, Kanter is more involved within the San Diego community. She was the vice president of the Lawyers Club of San Diego, which is an association that promotes women’s empowerment and equality. She is also the president of WiLDCOAST, an environmental program helping to clear up our coastlines, the lawyer representative of the Southern District of California’s District Court, and a board member of the San Diego Leadership Alliance. Her dedicated involvement in these associations has allowed her to see different perspectives within our community. Her career has helped her gain supporters, most notable being California Senator Toni Atkins, San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria, several San Diego council members, and over 35 judges. Her endorsers, associated largely with San Diego Superior Court system, have created a system of trust for us voters, knowing that the people who will be working with her in the future have approved of her.

All in all, someone’s work in the past is an accurate representation of their work in the future. Having experience and knowledge within the legal system, first-hand experience as a judge, and most importantly, involvement in the San Diego community, Kanter has the necessary qualifications to be our next Superior Court Judge.