State Bar survey shows Brody rated nearly twice as high on qualifications for SupCourt as McKenzie
The Idaho State Bar has released the results of its survey of state bar members about the qualifications of the two candidates vying for an open seat on the Idaho Supreme Court, and Robyn Brody has been rated nearly twice as highly by attorneys around the state as rival Curt McKenzie. You can read my full story here at spokesman.com.
Overall, Brody was rated 3.65 out of 4, while McKenzie was rated 1.86 on the same scale. For integrity and independence, Brody’s score was 3.64, while McKenzie’s was 1.72. For knowledge and understanding of the law, Brody was rated 3.63; McKenzie, 2.0.
For judicial temperament and demeanor, Brody drew a 3.7 score; McKenzie got just 1.86. For legal ability and experience, Brody was rated 3.64, while McKenzie was rated 1.87.
When the state bar surveyed its members about the candidates in the last two Idaho Supreme Court contests in 2014 and 2010, participants rated Justice Joel Horton higher than Breck Seiniger in 2014, and Justice Roger Burdick higher than challenger John Bradbury in 2010. But McKenzie’s ratings are below those of both Seiniger, whose average rating was 2.51 to Horton’s 3.44, and Bradbury, whose average rating was 2.2 to Burdick’s 3.6. In both cases, the higher-rated candidate won the election.
This time, neither hopeful is an incumbent. Brody is an attorney in private practice from Rupert; McKenzie is an attorney in private practice in Boise and a seven-term state senator from Nampa. You can see the full survey results here.
When the state bar surveyed its members about the qualifications of the four candidates who ran in the primary last spring for the current opening, Brody and Idaho Court of Appeals Judge Sergio Gutierrez tied for the highest overall rating at 3.58; Deputy Attorney General Clive Strong came in second at a 3.27 overall rating; and McKenzie was last with a 1.9 overall average. Brody was the top finisher in that election, with McKenzie in second place, so the two advanced to a runoff in November’s general election.
Brody and McKenzie will face off in a debate on statewide TV this Friday night, at 8 p.m. on Idaho Public Television.
