Attorney for D.A. Considers Judge’s Seat

A top civil lawyer with ties to the district attorney’s office said Wednesday he will probably run to replace Superior Court Judge Robert Bradley if the embattled jurist decides not to seek reelection this spring.

But Glen Reiser, 44, who represents Dist. Atty. Michael D. Bradbury’s office in lawsuits and Bradbury personally, said he would seek Bradley’s seat in the June 2 election only if the 56-year-old judge--arrested twice recently on suspicion of drunk driving--decides to retire.

Reiser was a finalist for the Superior Court seat to which Gov. Pete Wilson appointed David Long in November.

So Reiser’s announcement Wednesday--the day after a prominent defense lawyer said he might try to unseat Bradley--sends a message that the county’s law-and-order establishment is prepared to fight for the seat.

“Bob Bradley is a former assistant district attorney with a philosophy which is consistent with the values of the majority of the electorate in Ventura County,” Reiser said. “And if Judge Bradley does not seek reelection, then that philosophy should be represented in myself or some other candidate.”

Reiser emphasized he would not run against Bradley.

“I think he’s an outstanding judge, and I respect him professionally and personally,” Reiser said. “But if there’s a void, I would try to fill that.”

Bradley, back on the job this week after a month’s absence, would not comment on whether he will seek election to another six-year term.

But Bradley’s attorney believes he probably will seek reelection.

“I assume he will, but it’s not something I’ve discussed with him,” George Eskin said. “I take the opinion that based on his years of experience, yes, he should run; yes, he should continue to try to beat this disease.”

Bradley was arrested Dec. 6 and again Jan. 3 on suspicion of drunk driving. But Monday he told his colleagues he intends to work through his problems.

Then on Tuesday, Deputy Public Defender Gary Windom, 47, said he is considering a race for Superior Court and would probably run against Bradley, because, he said, allowing the judge to stay on the bench fosters distrust of the courts.

But Reiser said he does not believe Windom, a public defender for 13 years and private lawyer for 10, has enough experience.

“Gary Windom is a very respected attorney, but I don’t know if he has the breadth of experience that other candidates might have,” Reiser said.

*

Reiser said Assistant Dist. Atty. Kevin McGee, 44, would be a better candidate than Windom. And Reiser would support McGee’s candidacy if Bradley retires.

“If Kevin McGee ran for that position, I would not run,” Reiser said. “My interest is not only personal, but I want there to be outstanding judges in this county.”

McGee--a 16-year prosecutor and Bradbury’s top assistant since 1994--is considered the top judicial candidate from the district attorney’s office, a starting point for most judges in Ventura County. Bradley, in fact, was Bradbury’s chief criminal prosecutor before he was appointed to the bench in 1983.

McGee was out of his office and unavailable for comment. Windom did not return telephone calls.

This year, nine judgeships are up for grabs and will appear on the June 2 ballot, if contested. Candidates must declare their intention by Feb. 4 to qualify to run for four $107,390-a-year Superior Court positions. Five Municipal Court posts, which pay $98,100 annually, are also available.

In all, 15 judges serve on the Superior Court and 12 on the Municipal Court.

*

Courthouse analysts expect all nine incumbents to run for reelection: Those are Bradley, Long, Charles Campbell and Ken Riley on the Superior Court and Edward Brodie, Herbert Curtis III, John Dobroth, Barry Klopfer and Roland Purnell on the Municipal Court.

In addition to Windom and Reiser, family law attorney Cathleen Drury of Thousand Oaks has said she may seek a Superior Court judgeship. But Drury, who lost to then Chief Deputy Dist. Atty. Donald Coleman in 1996, said she will not oppose Bradley.

*

“I will definitely not run against Robert Bradley,” she said. “I like him very much. He’s a damned good judge. And I hate to capitalize on somebody’s vulnerability when I haven’t seen it affect his job performance.”

Windom said Tuesday that of the four Superior Court judges whose seats are available, he would most likely run against Bradley because of the way the judge’s drunk-driving arrests are viewed by the public.

“I think his ability is impaired, and I think the public will look at it the same way,” Windom said. “And they will distrust anything that comes from the bench as a result of it.

“I personally think he is capable, one of our best judges,” Windom added. “But I also think the perception of our judiciary would be impaired if he was to remain. That’s a harsh thing to say, but it’s reality.”

*

A number of local attorneys and judges have come to Bradley’s defense since he checked himself into a drug-treatment hospital shortly after his first arrest, and again following the second arrest last weekend.

William Peck, the senior judge on the Superior Court, joined that chorus Wednesday.

Peck, whose office is nearest to Bradley’s and who considers him a friend, said Bradley’s comments to colleagues through an e-mail message indicate he will stay on the job and seek reelection.

“I hope he does,” Peck said. “Obviously, I’m not condoning driving under the influence. But unless it affects his ability to be a competent judge, I don’t think it should matter.”

Peck said Bradley’s mind appears as sharp as ever. “I’ve been in the chambers right across from his for two years, and I saw nothing in those two years that indicated there was a problem whatsoever. . . . I was totally unaware of any problem he had.”

*

Regardless of Bradley’s intentions, Reiser may be a candidate for the Superior Court again in the months ahead. Peck, 65, said he has tentatively decided to retire May 1, and his seat would be available for appointment by Gov. Wilson. A second Superior Court judge, Allan Steele, has also discussed retirement, colleagues said.

“I’ve already completed the application process through the governor’s office,” Reiser said. “So obviously the path of least resistance is appointment, not election.”

Correspondent Nick Green contributed to this story.