Democrat Travis Partney and Republican Katherine Hardy Senkel are seeking the Division 13 associate circuit judge’s seat in the Nov. 8 election.
That spot had been held by Patricia Riehl, who was appointed by Gov. Jay Nixon to the Div. 5 bench late last year to succeed Lisa Page, who was appointed to the Eastern District of the Missouri Court of Appeals.
Nixon then appointed Partney, a former assistant prosecutor with the Jefferson County Prosecutor’s Office, to the Div. 13 judgeship until an election could be held.
Senkel, an attorney at the Hardy Law Firm in Farmington, defeated two other Republicans in the August primary election.
Associate circuit judges are paid $135,059 a year.
The winner will serve the final two years of Riehl’s four-year term.
PARTNEY, 36, lives at 5484 Mystic Oaks Drive, Imperial. He and his wife, Sarah Partney, have two children. A 1998 graduate of Hillsboro High School, he received a bachelor’s degree in philosophy and forensic communication from Southeast Missouri State University and a law degree from the University of Missouri in Columbia. After graduating from law school, he went into private practice until he was hired by the Jefferson County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office in 2008. He left for about 1 1/2 years to join the Roberts, Wooten and Zimmer firm in Hillsboro, but later returned to the prosecutor’s office. Partney has been an adjunct instructor of rules of criminal evidence at Jefferson College since 2012 and an adjunct instructor of argumentation and debate at Fontbonne University since 2011.
SENKEL, 46, lives at 1226 Paulanna Estates Drive, Festus. She and her husband, David, have two daughters. She is a former municipal prosecutor and served as an assistant to U.S. Rep. Bill Emerson in 1992 and as an intern to state Rep. Bob Ward in 1991. She earned a bachelor’s degree from Westminster College and a law degree from the Mississippi College School of Law. She serves on the board of directors of Comtrea and was a member of the advisory board for the Jefferson County Family YMCA from 2007-2010. She has represented children as guardian ad litem in juvenile cases and divorce and in the foster care system. She served on the Board of Directors of Legal Aid in Southern Missouri from 1997-2001, was the president and board member of the Mineral Area Council on the Arts from 1995-1997, was on the Leadership Academy of the Missouri Bar, has been a Girl Scout leader and has volunteered at Our Lady School in Festus and is a member of Mercy Hospital Jefferson Women with a Mission.
Social media: Website: KathyHardySenkelforJudge.com Facebook: KathyHardySenkelforJudge (Facebook)
What training and experiences have equipped you for this position?
Partney: Since returning to Jefferson County to work in the Prosecutor’s Office, I’ve handled more than 6,000 cases, ranging from misdemeanors to murder. During my time in private practice, I gained experience with family and civil law. I have served as a clerk for Federal Magistrate Lewis Blanton. I have extensive jury trial experience, which is what our circuit needs from its judges. I’ve worked with victims and their families to help guide them through an often-intimidating system. As a prosecutor, I was in court almost every day, so I’ve seen what works and what doesn’t. As the current Division 13 judge, I’ve already started implementing ideas to fix inefficiencies in the circuit.
Senkel: For over two decades, I have been honored to represent children, parents, seniors and individuals from all over the state as attorney in more than 15 counties. If I am elected judge, no case will come before me that I have not already handled in private practice. I have counseled parents and children in the most sensitive of legal circumstances. The practice of law is not limited simply to an attorney’s appearance in court, but also requires logic, common sense and compassion. Throughout my legal practice, I have maintained these principals in each and every engagement. I intend to carry these same principals to the court if elected.
What is your assessment of the workload for circuit judges in Jefferson County? What changes, if any, are needed to improve the efficiency of the office and the circuit?
Partney: The workload of our circuit is uneven. This uneven distribution has led to certain divisions being overworked, which ultimately adds up to a system that is inefficient. As a result, victims, witnesses, law enforcement and attorneys must often wait too long for cases to be heard. To help address this problem, I have volunteered for additional case assignments. When I became the judge in Division 13, I had 239 cases. Since taking on additional assignments, I have 794. I am confident that spreading the workload will alleviate the problem of congested dockets and create a more efficient system.
Senkel: The workload of the associate circuit courts is substantial and requires a dedicated, disciplined and experienced Judge. Fortunately for the people of Jefferson County, the previous judge in Division 13, Judge Riehl, was both professional, efficient and compassionate. I intend to follow her example while incorporating my 20 years of experience to every matter that comes before me. Delays will be limited as they affect all litigants, increasing the anxiety to all parties, particularly in matters regarding children, as well as clogging the court’s docket. A case is not simply a file with a name and number affixed, but a person (and their family) who requires a judge’s seasoned and balanced eye. Justice and balance will be the order of the day.
Should Jefferson County's circuit and associate judges continue to be elected in partisan elections? Why or why not?
Partney: No. Selecting local judges along party lines makes as much sense as someone choosing his or her doctor, mechanic or dentist based on political affiliation. Local judges handle criminal, family and civil matters; it is not our role to make law. I swore an oath to uphold the Constitution and it is my duty to follow the law as written. Selecting a local judge on party alone ignores work ethic, qualifications and dedication to public service. I have been going door-to-door across this county and Democrats and Republicans alike have told me that judges should not be elected on a partisan basis. I agree wholeheartedly. We deserve judges driven by public service to Jefferson County rather than political opportunity.
Senkel: As presently mandated by our state Constitution, judges of this county should continue to be elected by the people they serve. A system wherein judges are appointed would alleviate for the candidates the arduous task, costs and efforts associated with the elective process. However, the issue is not one of convenience of the candidates, but their continuing commitment and dedication to the law and their responsibilities to those they serve.
Why should voters elect you to this position? List your goals, if any.
Partney: I am the candidate in my race with a proven history of public service to this county and extensive experience practicing in Jefferson County. I’ve handled more than 6,000 cases here, ranging from divorce to murder. I have the strong work ethic that the job demands. My experiences as a prosecutor, a private practitioner and a judge have taught me to view cases from multiple perspectives. I have prosecuted, defended, negotiated, tried and presided over a wide variety of cases. I have consistently worked to serve Jefferson County, and I will continue to work as hard as I can to ensure my home county remains a safe and great place to live.
Senkel: I am best prepared to serve as associate circuit judge. The diversity of cases handled by me over my 20 years of practice evidences my range of experience and familiarity with the varied type of cases that come before this court on a daily basis. In short, unlike my opponent, my wide experience perfectly suits the position. No case will come before me that I have not already handled. As to my goals, other than discussed above, I intend to be fair, firm and faithful to the people of Jefferson County.
Do you support your party’s nominee for president? Why or why not?
Partney: As a candidate for judge, ethics rules prohibit me from endorsing specific candidates for political office.
Senkel: The Code of Judicial Conduct as promulgated by the Missouri Supreme Court (Rule 2-4.1(d)) provides that judges or judicial candidates “shall not engage in any other political activity except on behalf of measures to improve the law, the legal system or administration of justice.” Accordingly, it is neither appropriate nor permissible for me to respond to this question.