The Pre-election Campaign Finance Report shows that the Committee to Elect David Brannon raised a total of $524,567. Of this amount, 97% — $507,895 — came from the Brannon family, as loans to the campaign. David Brannon’s Mother, Colleen, provided $377,880 and David, himself, provided $130,000.
The Finance Report shows that the Committee to Elect Arvin Miller raised a total of $66,550. Of this, $15,000 is listed as a loan to the committee from Arvin’s wife, Susan Blasik Miller.
David Brannon and his brother, Douglas, work as lawyers, along with their father, Dwight, in the “Brannon Law Firm.” Their website emphasizes that the law firm works with the Probate Court “in all types of probate, will, trust and estate matters.” I’m sure it would be a big boost to the probate business of the “Brannon Law Firm” to elect David Brannon as Probate Judge. The family is putting a lot of money into Brannon’s campaign — $507,895 — spent on slick TV ads and expensive campaign materials. This flood of money from one family to acquire a judgeship, to me is unseemly. If the public knew this information, I believe the Brannon campaign would be slapped down. Our democracy is corrupted by money and this corruption is especially offensive when it works to buy a judgeship.
David Brannon is 41 years old. The Vote411 Voter Guide, reveals that Brannon has had zero years experience as an active judge. In contrast, Democrat Arvin Miller is 65 years old and the Guide shows that he has had a lifetime of relevant experience as an active judge. The last twelve years Miller has served as Probate Magistrate — hearing and deciding cases under the supervision of the retiring Probate Judge — Republican Alice McCollum.
Arvin Miller clearly is a better choice to be elevated to this important and respected position, but educating the public is a huge task. The power of money to shape public opinion is truly awesome. Our democracy is corrupted by money and this corruption is especially outrageous when it works to buy a judgeship.