When an elected position comes open after a long time, when a highly respected individual decides to call it a day and retire, many feel they have the “right stuff” to take over.

A lot of names start jumping into the political ring claiming they are the best and most qualified individuals for that position. And they all want you, the citizen, to vote for them.

But when you have the opportunity to elect “The Best of the Best” for any elected position, someone whose experience and professional prowess are clearly above the rest, you do it. This is what I see as the exact opportunity we have in Jefferson County for the position of 172^nd District Court Judge with Tina Bradley.

The 172^nd District Court in Jefferson County is up for grabs this November. Judge Donald Floyd, a Port Arthur native, held this position since 1989. This is his last hurrah, retiring after 29 years on the bench. We want to wish him well and thank him for his service to Jefferson County as a highly respected judge and person.

Seeking to win the Democratic nominee for the November 2018 election is Attorney Tina Bradley of Hobson & Bradley from Mid County. Tina, working in law firms since 1984, is probably one of the most impressive professionals I have had the opportunity to meet. And taking the leap into politics, yes, she has the experience to back it up and be a great judge for the 172^nd District.

Having litigated cases against more than 45 different major oil and chemical companies, manufacturers and suppliers of asbestos and benzene over the years, this is exactly who you want representing a district that is deep with this industry.

For those that don’t know, the 172^nd District Court is a civil court, not a criminal court. A civil court handles civil cases between individuals or entities.

For example: If you decide to sue another person, an organization, business or local government, your case is a civil case. Private individuals, businesses or the government can sue other people and organizations or be sued by the same. Decisions are mostly made in lawsuits, awarding judgment over either party. It’s not about sending individuals to jail.

When weighing between candidates, experience in the field that will transition them to be successful in the elected position they seek is extremely important. Tina Bradley has that experience.

In the May 22^nd Democratic runoff, Bradley will face off against Beaumont attorney Melody Chappell. Chappell who works for the Wells, Peyton, Greenberg & Hunt law firm, has 25 years of experience, but is widely known for representing The Beaumont Independent School District in the now famed 2014 $4 million dollar embezzlement scheme.

Early voting for the Tuesday, May 22^nd election begins Monday, May 14^th and ends Friday, May 18^th.

Keeping a Mid or South Jefferson County professional in the 172^nd District Court judge position is not just good for us, it’s good for the entire county. Tina Bradley’s experience speaks for itself. She is fair and honest. But more than anything, she’s a great person.

To make the right decision and get the best of the best to represent Jefferson County on the Democratic ticket, citizens of Mid and South Jefferson County must go to the polls. It’s no secret that Beaumont is a much larger city and has a higher voter turnout than we do. That makes this election, and its voter turnout, even more important.

Rich Macke is publisher of The Port Arthur News.