Letter to the Editor: Judge defends his 'no contribution' campaign

Dear Editor:

Your editorial of Feb. 3, 2008, regarding my pledge to refuse campaign contributions states that I have "… deep enough pockets to fund a county wide campaign." You infer that I am wealthy and can afford to make such a pledge. You advise that I should not criticize my opponent if she chooses to accept money from donors.

Some background may be helpful to an understanding of my position.

I first ran for judge in 1992 and accepted contributions. Once elected, I then had contributors appear before me as either a party or as an attorney. I didn't like the feeling the situation gave me. So I immediately began saving $400 a month from my paycheck. On the tenth of each month, United Bank automatically deducted that amount from my regular checking account and deposited it in my campaign savings account. Thus, when I ran for re-election in 2000, I did not accept contributions and paid for my campaign from my personal savings. Since that election in 2000, I have continued the same savings plan except that I increased my self-funding contributions to $500 a month. Thus, since my last election, I have taken $6,000 per year from my net salary and saved it in anticipation of running another "no contribution" campaign.

I realize that saving money the old fashion way is no longer in vogue, but my opponent or anyone else could have similarly saved money in anticipation of this election. My opponent is the same person who ran against me in 2000. I doubt that running this year was a spur of the moment decision.

The power of incumbency can be both positive and negative. Everyone who comes to court believes they are right. Yet, for every winner there is also a loser. I now have 16 years on the bench during which I have issued decisions that pleased some, but not others. The "losers" believe I'm a bad judge and will work hard to unseat me. I can not assume that incumbency will assure my victory.

Also, Putnam County is not a typical West Virginia county in that residents frequently come and go. The County Clerk's office advises that over one-fourth of the voters currently registered were not registered the last time I ran. Contrary to your claim, I will need to "reintroduce" myself to voters and will need to spend my savings in order to be re-elected.

Funding my campaign could have been accomplished by accepting donations from the many Kanawha, Putnam and Cabell Count lawyers who practice in my courtroom. Lawyers usually are willing to donate to an incumbent judge, but I have not chosen that path.

If I had a choice, I would have preferred spending my personal savings in retirement, but such is not to be the case. I am proud of my decision to save and pay my own way. I am sorry you see it negatively.

Very truly yours,
O.C. Spaulding