A Republican judicial hopeful in Mobile faced an uncomfortable evening as local party officials convened to vet candidates for the coming primary, with attorney Eaton Barnard’s history of donations to Democratic campaigns at the center of attention.
A standing rule
The Mobile County Republican Executive Committee operated under a bylaw that, while not disqualifying anyone from running as a Republican, called for informing GOP voters when a candidate had supported members of another party beyond a personal vote within the previous four years. Barnard, a first-time candidate, and state Sen. Ben Brooks were competing for a circuit judgeship being vacated by Judge Jim Wood, who at more than 70 years old was barred from seeking re-election. No Democrat had entered the race.
Records showed Barnard and his firm had given to a number of Democrats over some 15 years, including contributions to state Sen. Marc Keahey, Judge Deborah Bell Paseur, former District Attorney John Tyson Jr., former Chief Justice Sue Bell Cobb and, in 2004, presidential candidate John Edwards, along with a $1,000 gift to Don Siegelman in 1998.
Barnard’s defense
Barnard, who had emphasized his standing as an attorney rather than a politician, characterized the donations as reflections of professional relationships and beliefs about the legal system rather than partisan loyalty. “Every contribution I have ever made was made to a lawyer,” he said. “Most of those lawyers I knew personally or felt they were most qualified for the positions they sought. I also gave to Republicans. My contributions were based upon my knowledge of the person and the position and not party affiliation.”
He pointed to numerous Republican beneficiaries as well, including two $500 contributions to Circuit Judge Charlie Graddick and gifts to Mobile County District Judge Charles McKnight and district attorney candidate Mark Erwin. Over the previous decade, Barnard said, he had made 12 donations to lawyers, evenly split between six Republicans and six Democrats. Brooks, for his part, said he had no comment.
Not an endorsement
MCREC Chairwoman Terry Lathan, declining to address the Barnard-Brooks race specifically, said the review was intended not to embarrass candidates but to bring potential campaign gossip into the open so contenders could explain their records. “It is not a process to endorse someone or turn thumbs down on someone,” she said. “It is simply to determine the facts and abide by our standing rule.” The candidates were set to meet with the committee’s judicial subcommittee, chaired by attorney Brian Pugh. A separate potential case faded when attorney Michael Wing was reported to have withdrawn his primary challenge to incumbent Circuit Judge Rusty Johnston.