The only contested race in the Nov. 6 general election concerning seats in Jefferson County’s 23rd judicial circuit is the one for Div. 4.
The seat is open after Mark Stoll, a Democrat, opted against running for a third six-year term.
Seeking to replace him is Republican Brenda Stacey, who is completing her first four-year term as associate circuit judge in Div. 11, and Democrat Jacob “Jake” Costello.
Both ran unopposed in their parties’ primaries in August.
Republican Ed Page, who won a three-candidate Republican primary election in August, will succeed Stacey in Div. 11 as no Democrat filed for the seat.
That’s the situation for the eight other judgeships on the ballot, as Republicans Joe Rathert (Div. 1), Vic Mellenbrink (Div. 5), Troy Cardona (Div. 6) and associate judges Jeffrey T. Coleman (Div. 10), Antonio (Tony) Manansala (Div. 12), Katherine Hardy Senkel (Div. 13), Tim Miller (Div. 14) and Shannon Dougherty (Div. 15) all face no opposition.
Circuit court judges are paid a salary of $149,723. Associate circuit judges are paid $137,745 per year and serve four-year terms.
STACEY, 43, lives in Arnold. She has three children and a grandnephew, with a grandchild on the way. Before she was elected judge in 2014, she ran her own law firm for two years after working as an associate attorney at the Thurman and Castle law firms. She earned a bachelor’s degree in social science in 2000 from San Jose State University and a law degree in 2002 from the University of Colorado. She was president of the Arnold Chamber of Commerce in 2013-2014 and was founder and president of the Women’s Bar Association of Jefferson County from 2008-2010. She has been a guardian ad litem and a mediator. She is a member of the Elks and the Daughters of the American Revolution and is active in her church.
Social media: Website: brendastacey.com
COSTELLO, 42, lives in Imperial. He has a child. He is an assistant prosecuting attorney for Jefferson County. A graduate of St. Louis University High School, he attended Jefferson College and earned a bachelor’s degree in history from the University of Missouri-St. Louis in 2002 and a law degree and certificate in mediation training in 2003 from St. Louis University. He is a member of the Jefferson County Labor Club, the Jefferson County Bar Association and the Missouri Association of Prosecuting Attorneys. He has been a volunteer and mentor for the Boys Club, a volunteer for the Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis and a mock trial evaluator-judge.
Social media: Website: jakecostello4judge.com Facebook: Jacob Costello for Division 4 Judge
What training and experiences have equipped you for this position?
Stacey: My experience as an associate circuit court judge since 2014 makes me the more qualified candidate. I have presided over criminal and civil cases, including family, juvenile and probate cases. I have ruled on thousands of pretrial motions, have presided over bench and jury trials in both criminal and civil cases. Prior to being a judge, I was in private practice for more than 10 years, representing clients in criminal, family, probate, juvenile, real estate and general civil cases. I have knowledge of criminal and civil procedures. My experience makes me the more qualified candidate.
Costello: I have been practicing law for 15 years. I spent eight of those years in private practice and the last seven and a half years at the Jefferson County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office. In private practice, I handled wrongful death cases, personal injury, contested probate, general civil litigation, and criminal cases. I currently handle felony criminal cases, including drug charges, assaults, robberies, burglaries and murders. I have jury trial experience in both civil and criminal cases.
Why should voters elect you to this position? List your goals, if elected.
Stacey: I am the more qualified and more experienced candidate. I have proven myself a good judge, and I am able to confidently fill the position without delay. The ability to identify issues and creatively resolve them requires a unique skill set that takes time to learn. I have that skill set. A circuit court judge makes decisions and rulings that affect the lives, property, liberty and rights of the parties. Our county deserves quality judges who don't just meet expectations, but exceed them. I exceed expectations. I am the best person for the job.
Costello: Div. 4 is a circuit court division, which hears the same types of cases that I have worked on throughout my career. These types of cases require a judge familiar with circuit court practice. My experience would provide for an easy transition. In addition, the community rightfully expects their issues to be heard by a fair, open-minded and professional judge. They also expect a judge who is knowledgeable and well-prepared. I have the right temperament and work ethic to professionally and efficiently serve the people of Jefferson County.