Nathan B. Stewart faces opposition for the first time as he is running for a second term as the Div. 3 judge in Jefferson County’s 23rd Circuit in the Nov. 8 election.
Stewart, a Democrat from Hillsboro, ran unopposed in both the primary and general elections in 2010 and also faced no Democratic opponent in the August primary election this year.
However, voters will have a choice on Nov. 8 between Stewart and Republican Dianna Bartels of Arnold, a self-employed attorney.
Circuit judges serve six-year terms and are paid $146,803 per year.
STEWART, 51, lives at 1170 Brickyard Road, Hillsboro. He and his wife, Kimberly, have two children. Before he was elected to Div. 3, he was an associate circuit judge for six years and a family court commissioner for six years before that. In addition, he started and presides over truancy courts at Hillsboro Junior High School and Hillsboro Intermediate School.
A 1984 Hillsboro High School graduate, Stewart received a bachelor’s degree in education and a law degree from the University of Missouri in Columbia. He has been a member of the Hillsboro Community Civic Club since 1992 and was a board member of that group as well. He also is a member of the Sons of Amvets Post 48 and the De Soto Elks. He also has served on the Jefferson County Community Partnership’s Board of Directors and also has volunteered with the Hillsboro Chamber of Commerce’s annual community Christmas dinner since 2000.
Social media: Website: nathanbstewartforjudge.com Facebook: Nathan B. Stewart for Judge
BARTELS, 50, lives at 1314 Jeffco Blvd. Unit 1272, Arnold. She and her husband, Jule, have two children. Her practice areas include government and commercial contracts and employment law.
A 1985 graduate of Fox High School, she attended St. Louis Community College at Meramec, received a bachelor’s degree in legal studies and a master’s of business administration in finance and international finance, both from Webster University, and received a law degree from St. Louis University through the night program. She has government experience as a state assistant attorney general and has worked for the federal government in both civilian and military roles.
A veteran of Operation Desert Story, she is a member of the Rock Community American Legion in Imperial and the American Bar Association.
She volunteers with several churches by setting up organizational structures, handbooks and performing audits. She also was a member of a committee in the Metro East that dealt with sustainable energy development. She was president of the Civilian Activities Committee for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers from 1996-2001.
Social media: Facebook: DiannaBartelsforJudge
What training and experiences have equipped you for this position?
Stewart: Every year I attend the Judicial College, a week-long training, to constantly stay updated on the latest in the law. This year was my 18th session. I have attended various other training and have taught other judges and lawyers at conferences. I represented clients in Jefferson County in all sorts of cases before joining the court. I worked as a general practice attorney for the Wegmann Law Firm and subsequently opened my own practice. There is no substitute for actually practicing law to prepare one to be a judge. Since then, I have handled more than 43,000 cases for Jefferson County residents. The types of cases have ranged from family law to murder. I have had many bench and jury trials before me.
Bartels: While serving as a Missouri assistant attorney general, I managed more than 1,200 cases a year. I have written briefs for both the Missouri Supreme Court and Missouri Court of Appeals and have argued numerous times in front of the Missouri Court of Appeals. I have worked on cases across the U.S. and in some foreign countries. Cases I have handled include tort law, family law, criminal law, real estate, contracts, insurance, small claims, landlord and tenant and civil law issues.
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?
Stewart: The workload for circuit judges is impressively complex and diverse. With minor exceptions, we each handle all types of cases – civil, criminal and domestic. This can lead to scheduling conflicts. Entire chunks of time must be allotted to have jury and other trials, while still conducting day-to-day business. There are six circuit judges and lawyers may get double-booked in different divisions. Not all of these issues can be eliminated or even greatly eased, but we have come a long way through court automation and the institution of electronic filing, both of which introduced efficiencies not previously available. Regular upgrading of the hardware and software should continue to improve the courts.
Bartels: Earlier this year, there was a vacancy in Div. 5. In addition, (Div. 1) Judge (Robert) Wilkins just retired. Due to these changes, several cases had to be reassigned, causing an increased workload for the judges and delays in the processing of cases. This workload issue should be resolved over time. With respect to changes, the presiding judge is the only one who can make changes to the types of cases assigned and workloads within the Circuit.
Should Jefferson County’s circuit and associate circuit judges continue to be elected in partisan elections? Why or why not?
Stewart: No. The job of a trial judge is to apply the laws and the Constitution as written, not to inject their personal political views into cases. I enjoy support from lawyers of all political leanings because I am fair and impartial, deciding cases without regard to the beliefs of any person, attorney or myself. It is through years of the actual practice of law that one develops the legal ability to “hear courteously, answer wisely, consider soberly, and decide impartially.” (Socrates) Judges should be elected based on their experience and qualifications, not a party label.
Bartels: As an American and a veteran, people should have the right to vote. Judges must behave ethically. The Missouri Code of Judicial Conduct states that judicial candidates “shall not make pledges or promises of conduct… other than faithful and impartial performance...” This limits what a judicial candidate can say. Also, judicial candidates must not give the appearance of impropriety when raising campaign funds. A judge may accept funds from attorneys, but if a judge takes money from an attorney who later appears before them, the judge should notify the parties about the potential conflict and recuse themselves if requested. I have mostly self-funded my campaign and have not accepted donations from attorneys who would appear before me as judge.
Why should voters choose you to this position? List your goals, if elected.
Stewart: Voters should re-elect me because of my extensive experience, both as an attorney who represented the people of Jefferson County and as a judge who has handled more than 43,000 cases. Throughout my career, I have been in Jefferson County courts almost daily. As judge, I have worked tirelessly to ensure that our residents are treated fairly, no matter who they are. My goal upon re-election is to continue to adjudicate cases efficiently under our laws and Constitution as they are written. Compare my qualifications with those of my opponent and you will notice a stark difference in experience.
Bartels: I have lived in Jefferson County for more than 37 years with more than 14 years of experience as an attorney. Before becoming an attorney, I worked for the federal government for 14 years as a civilian and as military member in the U.S. Coast Guard. I have represented small and large businesses, individuals and families in all manner of legal issues. I have had the honor of representing our country and state.
Do you support your party's nominee for president? Explain why or why not.
Stewart: As a candidate for judge, ethics rules prohibit me from endorsing specific candidates for political office.
Bartels: As a candidate for judge, ethics rules prohibit me from endorsing specific candidates for political office.