Latino Today Editorial


Some have argued that voters face a difficult choice for Superior Court judge on June 3.

The argument rests on the fact that there is a strong field of three very capable candidates with considerable, if varied, experience.

We, however, argue the opposite.

There is a simple and clear choice to fill the open seat on the Superior Court bench. We endorse Senior Deputy District Attorney John MacKinnon for judge.

Here’s why:

1. MacKinnon has youth on his side – and we like that. We need some younger judges on the local bench. We need judges who have children in local schools and the energy to remain involved after hours with organizations serving the young people of our community. We think MacKinnon will do just that. He has served on the board of the local Boys and Girls Club and volunteered evenings to speak to parents and educators about how to protect children from Internet predators. MacKinnon and his wife Michelle have two children, ages 5 and 6, and he spends his free time coaching soccer and Little League baseball teams.

2. MacKinnon also has the right experience and right approach when it comes to dealing with one of the most pressing issues currently facing our society – and the entire justice and law enforcement system: How to best deal with drug and alcohol addicts and end the revolving door syndrome. MacKinnon has served as District Attorney Representative in the County's Treatment Courts, in which counseling and strict monitoring are used to help drug addicts and the mentally ill. He has served on the County's Drug Court Core Committee, as well as the Santa Barbara County Methamphetamine Prevention Commission. Of the three candidates for judge, MacKinnon is best suited to helping break the never-ending cycle of use-arrest-incarceration. In addition, MacKinnon has a wealth of criminal court experience and has successfully prosecuted thousands of cases including attempted murder, domestic violence, child abuse, and sexual assault.

3. MacKinnon has the strong support of many key Hispanic leaders. Superior Court Judge Rogelio Flores and Santa Maria City Council members Leo Trujillo and Hilda Zacarias have endorsed MacKinnon. So has the Northern Santa Barbara County Chapter of the National Latino Peace Officers Association. We like that, too. These endorsements carry a lot of weight with us in that they represent a bond of trust that has been established between a community hungry for civic leadership and involvement. We think these endorsements will carry a lot of weight with many county voters as well.

So remember, on June 3, vote John MacKinnon for Superior Court judge. His slogan is “Respected … Fair … Uniting Our Community.” And, we like that.

Latino Today Endorses John MacKinnon for Judge