Is Judicial Candidate Rebecca Hamilton Playing both sides of the Fence for VOTES?

Is Rebecca Hamilton for Judge playing both sides of the fence for votes?

Florida You Judge emailed judicial candidate Rebecca Hamilton on August 8, 2018 to inquire about the endorsement / support of two diametrically opposed communities, Christian / LGBT.   On July 24, 2018, the Stonewall Democrats of Pinellas (a not for profit LGBT organization who fully support the right of same sex person to marry) endorsed Rebecca Hamilton.  Christian TV personality, who opposes same sex marriage also supports Hamilton.  Do they each know about Hamilton’s true position on this issue?

Hamilton just recently appeared on a popular Christian evangelical television show, Homekeepers, and was interviewed by its host, Arthelene Rippy.  Rippy has made her views about same sex marriage very clear on Facebook.  Rippy is against same sex marriage.

Ms. Rippy, after recently interviewing Ms. Hamilton and discussing their shared faith during the show, went on to state that Rebecca had her vote.  “SHE HAS MY VOTE”

In the FYJ’s email to Hamilton, FYJ inquired whether Hamilton espoused Ms Rippy’s stance on gay marriage?  FYJ also inquired from her that if she did not espouse such a view did Ms. Rippy know and whether Hamilton would be willing to publicly denounce it.  Crickets.  Hamilton was also asked if she did espouse Rippy’s view, did the Stonewall Democrats of Pinellas know as it runs counter to their mission.  How does Hamilton reconcile wishing to receive the endorsement of these two communities which are contrary to each other in mission and purpose?  This candidate has chosen not to respond to this blog’s inquiry.

Stonewall Democrats of Pinellas mission statement:

Stonewall Democrats of Pinellas County is devoted to advancing equal rights for all people, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. As a Democratic organization, SDPC will work with the Democratic Party and support fair-minded Democratic leaders and candidates who support our mission.”

Should this candidate choose to make clear her position on this point regardless of the fallout of offending one of these communitie, FYJ will amend this post to include her clear and public statement on this in order that an appearance/question of whether she is playing both sides of the fence to win votes is erased.

5 Minute Video Excerpt of Rebecca Hamilton and the other candidate in the race, Evan Frayman.

Evan Frayman vs Rebecca Hamilton

Frayman and Hamilton are running for circuit court group 45 for Pinellas and Pasco counties.  The Tampa Bay Times recently made their recommendations.  Here is what they wrote about these candidates.

There is a clear choice in this race to succeed retiring Judge Jack Day. Evan Frayman has the best combination of legal experience and community leadership.
Frayman, 47, has a solid record in civil law practice, including employment and labor law, and as an in-house counsel for staffing agencies. He has trial experience, and he is a volunteer mediator for the county’s Office of Human Rights. He has been president of his Rotary Club in Dunedin and of Temple B’nai Israel, and he has served on the board of the Clearwater Bar Foundation. Frayman also has been a finalist several times for a gubernatorial appointment to the bench.
Rebecca Hamilton, 45, is a St. Petersburg lawyer with a modest criminal defense practice. She also was an assistant public defender between 2000 and 2004. Hamilton has trial experience, but it is not clear she has the skills necessary to efficiently run a courtroom and manage a large caseload.
For Pinellas-Pasco Circuit Court Judge Group 45, the Tampa Bay Times recommends Evan Frayman.

Here is a video excerpt from a forum both candidates attended

Press Conference on Markeis McGlockton Pinellas Parking Spot Dispute Shooting Case

Tampa Bay Times recommendations for Pinellas-Pasco Judges 2018 Judicial Races

DAVE ELLIS (GROUP 4)

CHRISTINE HELINGER (GROUP 9)

DONEENE LOAR (GROUP 36)

THOMAS MINKOFF (GROUP 40)

EVAN FRAYMAN (GROUP 45)

ARTICLE:

Times recommends: 5 for Pinellas-Pasco Circuit Court judge

Video: Evan Frayman, judicial candidate for circuit court group 45, discusses candidacy on Florida You Judge

Tampa Bay Times ENDORSES EVAN FRAYMAN

FRAYMAN receives MAYOR ENDORSEMENTS

Ken Burke, CPA, Pinellas Clerk of the Circuit Court
Bob Dillinger, Public Defender, Sixth Judicial Circuit
Mike Fasano, Pasco County Tax Collector
Charlie Gerdes, Esq., St. Petersburg City Council
Bob Gualtieri, Pinellas County Sheriff
Gary Joiner, Pasco County Property Appraiser
Rick Kriseman, Mayor of St. Petersburg
Chris Nocco, Pasco County Sheriff
Ronald E. Oakley, Pasco County Commissioner and Vice Chair
Paula S. O’Neil, Ph.D., Clerk & Comptroller Pasco County
Karen Seel, Pinellas County Commissioner
Charles W. Thomas, CFC, CPM, Pinellas County Tax Collector
Mike Twitty, MAI, Pinellas County Property Appraiser

Kenneth T. Welch, Pinellas County Commissioner and Chair
Joshua Chilson, Esq., Florida Bar Board of Governors
Hon. Irene Sullivan, Retired Circuit Judge
Matthew W. Kindel, Esq., President, West Pasco Bar Association
Fraternal Order of Police, Pasco County Sheriff’s Lodge 29
St. Petersburg Association of Firefighters Local 747
Sun Coast Police Benevolent Association, Inc.
West Central Florida Labor Council, AFL-CIO

Video: PACDL Hosts Judicial Forum for 2018 Pinellas & Pasco Judicial Elections

The Pinellas Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (PACDL) hosted a judicial forum of a slate of candidates running for open seats on the bench for the 6th Circuit which includes Pinellas and Pasco counties.  August 28, 2018 is election day.  Go vote.

Attorney Patrick Leduc files an Emergency Writ on case that Judge Holder jailed man for not remembering his cellphone password

Judge jails defendant for failing to unlock phones  FOX NEWS 13

Emergency Writ

Search Warrant, Affidavit, and Petition for Order to Show Cause

Attorneys Patrick Leduc and Warren Redlich discuss case on Florida You Judge