Janis Barquist loses judge race

I finally remembered to check on the election for Superior Court Judge, Seat No. 144, since I heard candidate Janis Barquist speak at the Van Nuys Neighborhood Council meeting.

She lost. David W. Stuart won with 645,962 votes, or 58.88 percent, to Barquist's 451,201 (41.12 percent).

Still, it was nice to hear from a living, breathing judicial candidate. And as they say, better luck next time.

Janis, you seemed to have it pretty together -- lots of endorsements, getting yourself out there. It's got to be hard to do this countywide. I don't know how anybody can figure out what to do as far as campaigning goes over such a large area. Even a mailing would be too expensive. The Web site was a big help, but how do you get the name recognition needed to win? Hell if I know.

I suppose money is what really helps -- getting yourself on "slate mailers" and doing advertising, in addition to speaking to community groups and distributing flyers. Oy, what a job.