NWA LETTERS

Horwart’s experience makes her right pick

I have just read your endorsement for the new Benton County judge in Division 7. I respectfully disagree. I believe Christine Horwart is the better choice.

I have practiced law in Benton County for the past 37 years. I am a domestic relations trial lawyer. I fight for people, their lives and their children. It is hard. It is not pretty. But I am proud to be a part of our judicial system and will be until the day I die.

I have known Christine Horwart since she started practicing 25 years ago. I average three to four days per week in the courtrooms of Benton County on contested matters. I see Christine Horwart is there, too, fighting for her clients. On many occasions we have fought each other. She is an excellent trial lawyer and a worthy adversary.

It is so important to me as a Benton County citizen to have an experienced person elected to this position. I believe only someone who has lived it on almost a daily basis has that necessary experience. That person is Christine Horwart.

Being in a courtroom is hard. Running a courtroom is even harder. To do it well, I believe you have to have been there. I mean, really, there arguing objections with opposing counsel and with the court. Pushing to find the best argument to get your evidence admitted. Sometimes running against the clock. Sometimes late at night when you are too tired to think anymore. Judges have it even harder. They have to at all times appear impartial and respectful to the litigants.

Tony Noblin is a wonderful young man who has practiced law for 13 years. The Democrat-Gazette’s endorsement of Mr. Noblin references his wealth of other experiences, a veteran and police officer. I thank him for his service. However, those experiences do not mean he is the best choice for this judge position. Respectfully, running a courtroom is unrelated to those experiences. What should matter most in this race is courtroom experience. There is no substitute for being there, doing it and seeing it done.

In most court cases, you got one shot to get it right, to get justice for your client. The person making the decision, the judge, has got to know the law and to have been in a courtroom fight before. Court is like going to the doctor for surgery. You want a surgeon who has operated day in and day out and refined his skills to use in taking care of you or a family member.

Christine Horwart is the only candidate in this race with sufficient courtroom experience to be qualified to hold this position. If you are unsure, ask any attorney friend/acquaintance about Christine Horwart and the skills she will bring to the job if elected. She is the best choice.

JOHNNIE EMBERTON RHOADS

Rogers

[email protected]

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