Retired Superior Court Judge Steven Hintz made a big statement Wednesday when he announced that he's running for treasurer-tax collector--and loaning his campaign committee $150,000 of his own money.
The money should make any potential opponents have second thoughts.
Hintz seeks to replace the retiring Larry Matheney, whose seat garnered much attention lately when the Ventura County Board of Supervisors effectively ended Audra Strickland's campaign for it by establishing educational criteria. Hintz believes that some business classes he took satisfies the requirement.
He also earned a law degree in 1971 from UC Berkeley, which must have been some interesting times for a law-and-order type. He became a JAG, joined the Ventura County DA's office, then was appointed to be a judge in 1982. The Ventura County Trial Lawyers Association named him Judge of the Year in 1984 and 1988.
In 1992, he was reproved by the California Commission of Judicial Performance for exceeding the lawful authority of his position. He had ordered his bailiffs to search people in his courtroom for weapons and outstanding arrest warrants. I think he should have been awarded another Judge of the Year award for that.
Judge Hintz is a lifetime member of the NRA, and an avid train buff who builds model train sets. He also oversaw a $2.8 million budget as the CFO for the California State Railroad Museum Foundation, which maintains a museum in Old Town Sacramento.
It will be interesting to see if Hintz's hefty loan will clear the field of competitors, now that the person who was his biggest obstacle is running for county supervisor.
Eric Ingemunson's commentary has been featured on Hannity, CNN, NBC, Inside Edition, and KFI's The John and Ken Show.
Eric was born and raised in Ventura County and currently resides in Moorpark. He earned a master's degree in Public Policy and Administration from California Lutheran University. As a conservative, Eric supports smaller government, less taxation, more individual freedom, the rule of law, and a strict adherence to the Constitution.
He said on his web page that he has been preparing two years for the position. That plus the $150K is quite a splash!!
Eric,
I posted a link to this blog entry:
http://blogs.venturacountystar.com/dennert/archives/2010/02/judge-hintz-cam.html
Judge Hintz taught at the Ventura College of Law for many years. He was my instructor for Constitutional Law and Criminal Procedure. He was a great teacher and a real straight arrow. I've never voted for a Republican in my life, but I'm going to vote for this man.
I love your blog Eric. If you get a chance contact me.
Who else has entered this race Eric. I hear Don Facciano has - he's on the TaxPayer Assn and the Lincoln Club. How does he fit in? Are there anymore Republican candidates??
Thank Goodness Audra STrickland isn't one of them.
In addition to Facciano, other potentials are:
Sue Horgan
Stephanie House
Ernestine Cook
Peggy O'Reilly
Jeff Walker
I see Jeff Walker, an accountant who owns JJ Brewsky's, has a Facebook page. Checking that out right now.
All kinds of qualified people to choose from - imagine that! And to think we were expected to be saddled with Audra because she wanted the job.
I frankly think she should stay at home and be the primary caretaker for her children. They need a mother at home and most people would like to do that if they can afford it.
Wow, Katie, such an enlightened attitude for an independent woman like you. You think Audra should stay home, barefoot and pregnant, huh?
Apparently, you were wronged a long time ago by the Stricklands or didn't get your way on a particular issue involving them and/or the VCRCC and have been on the warpath ever since. Why don't you get over it already?
Wow - I have NEVER thought we were properly represented in Sac and that goes way before I ever was involved with the VCRCC. So yea - I am going to beat on the drum until that happens. I had hopes for Jeff Gorell during his initial run but am ambivelent now.
And yes, I think all children do better with a primary care person. Believe me, I didn't really enjoy it but it was best for the kids. I know a lot of moms don't have that option but Audra does and she isn't doing it.
So much for family values.
I cut and pasted the following from Timm Herdt's blog. The Executive Director of the VCRCC is Chris Collier, who works for Tony Strickland. Why are you blacking out information?!?
Well, not only does the Ventura County Republican Central Committee not list all the Republican candidates, they aren't listing that the Camarillo Federated Women are hosting a debate between Geoff Dean and Dennis Carpenter this Monday, Feb 22.
Ventura County Federation of Republican Women
President: Daryl Reynolds
Website: http://vcfrw.org/
Email: VenturaCountyFRW@cfrw.org
Calendar: Ventura County Federation
Oh, why don't you take a friggin' hike, Katie? You feelin' me?
Maybe Mr. Hintz can unlawfully detain the voters in the ballot booths until they vote for him...
Hey Eric,
Is Mr. Hintz your hero for violating the rights of citizens of the United States? What if he violated white people's rights would it still have been o.k. with you?
You can delete my comments but you can't delete the truth.
Nobody, to date I haven't deleted any of your comments although I did bleep out a small portion of one of your comments due to unsavory language.
For all I know, the people Judge Hintz detained were white. I didn't see or care what race they were--I trust the judge's judgment to know when he's got some trouble in the courtroom. Why do you assume that the people that were suspected of guns/drugs weren't white? I think that says a lot about you.
Nobody, to date I haven't deleted any of your comments although I did bleep out a small portion of one of your comments due to unsavory language.
For all I know, the people Judge Hintz detained were white. I didn't see or care what race they were--I trust the judge's judgment to know when he's got some trouble in the courtroom. Why do you assume that the people that were suspected of guns/drugs weren't white? I think that says a lot about you.
Instead of "WOW", maybe consider "WAAAAHW"
Eric,
Do some homework. It wasn't all about safety.
Be that man you promised yourself you would be Eric. Be the first Star blogger to make a post with the "Commision of Judicial Performance" review of Judge Hintz. http://cjp.ca.gov/userfiles/file/Public_Reprovals/Hintz_5-29-92.pdf
It's what Ronald Reagan would do! Don't let yourself down Eric!
I just mentioned that in this post. It elevated him, in my opinion.