3 Seek Judge Gallivan’s Superior Court Post

An Orange County deputy district attorney, a community college trustee and a Superior Court commissioner are vying for a seat on the bench in the county’s only contested judicial race.

The post of Superior Court judge for Office No. 4 has been held for 16 years by Judge Robert H. Gallivan, who is retiring. The candidates hoping to fill the position are Senior Deputy Dist. Atty. Sheila Hanson, civil litigator and college trustee Nancy Padberg and Superior Court Commissioner Lyle Robertson.

The candidates don’t differ much on the issues. All three have talked about finding new ways to move cases through the court system more quickly. Hanson and Robertson cite the need to make it easier for the public to navigate the system and better understand what goes on inside the courtroom.

After nearly 17 years prosecuting cases, including homicides and sex crimes, Hanson has the support of more than 30 judges and some law enforcement organizations, such as the Assn. of Orange County Deputy Sheriffs and the Santa Ana Police Officers Assn.

Padberg draws on her 14 years as a lawyer and her experience as an elected official with the South Orange County Community College District and the Republican Party Central Committee.

Superior Court Commissioner Lyle Robertson points to his 15 years’ experience of hearing civil and criminal cases. He also has the endorsement of Gallivan.

Hanson, 41, hopes to capitalize on endorsements from law enforcement associations representing more than 100,000 peace officers. She has the support of more than 30 judges.

“These are people that have seen me work day in day out and have reviewed my cases and believe that I have the integrity and skill to be a Superior Court judge,” she said.

Hanson, of Tustin, is the only Democrat in the nonpartisan race.

Padberg, 68, says her tenure as an elected official gives her an edge.

“I’ve held two elected offices where I had to answer to the public. It’s not an easy job,” she said. Until October, Padberg served as the county’s assistant public administrator.

Padberg has served eight years on the community college district board, whose majority has fought a nine-year battle with the faculty.

Padberg, of San Clemente, has the support of a host of local officeholders, including Reps. Dana Rohrabacher, Ed Royce and Gary Miller.

Robertson, 58, is hoping his years on the bench show voters he’s the most suitable candidate. Judges appoint the commissioners and typically handle misdemeanor, traffic and small-claims cases.

“Sitting on the bench is much different from being an advocate for one side or the other,” Robertson said. “I’ve sent people to prison, taken children away from parents. Those are not nice things to do, but I know what the law is, and I’ve had to do what’s appropriate.”

Robertson, of Mission Viejo, has been endorsed by 10 judges and commissioners and several local business leaders.

Hanson leads in fundraising, with $105,000 in loans and contributions collected by late March, compared with $25,000 by Padberg. Robertson has yet to file any significant expenditures with the county registrar of voters.