Judge Moira Rodgers: July 29 statement

Because I’m running for district probate judge in the Republican Primary, I write to share my politics and what I believe to be the relevance of politics in a judicial election.

I’m a lifelong Republican. I’ve served on the Republican Town Committee for more than a decade. I hold close the concepts of fiscal responsibility and limited government.

But this election, in my opinion, should not be about who is the best Republican, but rather who is the best judge for the new district

I believe I am that judge for several reasons.

First, I will make the job my exclusive focus, not practicing law on the side. The more than $100,000 the job will pay commands that attention. This will enable me to hold hearings in Redding, Ridgefield and Newtown so as to minimize constituent travel to the new consolidated court center in Bethel.

Second, as the most recently trained judge of the district’s busiest court, I believe I am best equipped for the increased court business and the significant effort that will be required to consolidate four record systems, staffs and locations into one.

Most importantly, I believe I bring the broadest combination of judicial and life experience to the job. As not only a judge, lawyer and professional woman, but also a wife, mother and daughter of an elderly parent, I have a unique perspective among the candidates on the matters before the court, particularly family law issues.

My politics are part of who I am, and that includes a part of the judge I am. But the business of judging is primarily about fairness, decisiveness and compassion. I will never let politics get in the way of what’s best in each case before me.

I would be grateful for your support on Aug. 10.

Judge Rodgers is one of three Republicans seeking the party’s nomination to run for the judge of probate post for the new probate district that includes Redding, Ridgefield, Bethel and Newtown.