Bailey elected judge
Posted: Wednesday, June 4, 2008
By Eric Laughlin, Mountain Democrat
One of the biggest landslide victories of election night was Placerville attorney Steven Bailey’s defeat of Tahoe attorney Robert Huckaby in the race for Judge of the El Dorado County Superior Court, Office 4.
Bailey, 56, an 18-year veteran criminal defense attorney, beat Huckaby 66 to 33 percent, earning nearly 10,000 more votes than the South Shore business attorney, whose campaign many called passive.
Bailey’s win came after a long list of key endorsements that included District Attorney Vern Pierson, Sheriff Jeff Neves and retiring South Lake Tahoe Judge Jerald Lasarow, whose bench was up for grabs in the race.
Bailey and his family were all smiles as they watched the initial results come in at Annabelle’s Chocolate Lounge in El Dorado. Those on hand included his wife of 30 years, Kathleen, along with their three adult children and new grandchild. Daughter Kate made the trek all the way from Eugene, Ore., where she attends college.
Most who attended the party said it was Bailey’s hard work ethic and intelligence that drew their vote and support.
“Those qualities will make him the best judge El Dorado County has ever had,” said Bailey’s brother-in-law and El Dorado County Supervisor Ron Briggs. “It’s nice to see good people prosper and he’s earned it.”
Briggs called attention to Bailey’s road to success, which included him working his way through law school while supporting a family of four.
Attorney and supporter Brad Clark said Bailey’s extensive knowledge of the law will make him a great judge.
“He’s got an excellent mind set for the post,” Clark said. “Our area is in good hands.”
Bailey, not long after graduating from Lincoln Law School at age 36, opened his practice in a suite above what is now Washington Mutual Bank on Missouri Flat Road. He has been there ever since.
As a tribute to her husband’s integrity and the way he’s treated his clients over the years, Kathleen read to the some 50 supporters a letter Steve received from one client.
In the letter the man writes that he owes his life to Bailey; he states that he and his family were able to stay in their home thanks to being given several years to pay off his legal bill without interest.
Bailey himself said he was pleased with the victory and the support he got from his friends in the community.
He will be one of two judges assigned to the South Lake Tahoe justice center. The other is the county’s presiding judge, Suzanne Kingsbury.
When asked about the new assignment, Bailey said he is excited about the multitude of cases he will be handling, which in addition to criminal, will also include those of civil nature.
As for the relocation process to Tahoe:
“Oh that won’t be problem, we’ve had a home up there for four years now.”
He said he still has some cases to wrap up before being sworn in in January, but said most of them should be concluded by fall.
He could be taking office at the around the same time as another new judge, one who has yet to be appointed by the governor to replace the Judge Eddie T. Keller, who retired last year.
Huckaby could not be reached for comment by press time yesterday.
E-mail Eric Laughlin at elaughlin@mtdemocrat.net or call (530) 344-5064
Home | About Us | Get Involved | Stay Informed | Volunteer | Contribute
| 
