Deputy DA Jim Walker to Challenge Judge Fall

By David GreenwaldJanuary 24, 200812 comments
The Vanguard has learned that Judge Tim Fall will receive electoral challenge from Yolo County Deputy District Attorney Jim Walker. This will mark the first time in quite some time that there will be a contested judicial election in Yolo County.

While Judge Fall has raised the ire of many over the course of his tenure as Judge, Deputy DA Jim Walker would likely be an unmitigated disaster.

Originally Judge Steve Mock was to retire after his term expired. However, he has since changed his mind and instead he will apparently resign midterm and allow the Governor to appoint a replacement.

Deputy DA Walker reportedly was seeking a judicial appointment from the governor but that option was likely precluded to him by rumored unqualified ratings from the bar association.

So contesting another judge seems the most likely option for the Deputy DA and apparently Judge Fall, who has a mixed record, is deemed the most vulnerable.

However, the Vanguard believes that Judge Fall will receive the backing of all of the Yolo County Judges.

The Yolo County Republican Party has a posted press release on their website:

“Jim Walker, a successful supervising prosecutor with the Yolo County District Attorney’s Office, announced Tuesday that he is seriously considering a run for Yolo County Judge. Walker made his announcement at the Woodland Public Library during the Woodland Republican Club’s meeting. The group had gathered to hear an update from Walker on Yolo County’s criminal justice system.”

At one point, Mr. Walker considered running for District Attorney, however, outgoing DA David Henderson backed Jeff Reisig as his successor. Mr. Walker will now look to unseat a sitting judge, which is a difficult prospect at best, particularly for one who will likely be rated as unqualified.

—Doug Paul Davis reporting

Author

  • David Greenwald

    Greenwald is the founder, editor, and executive director of the Davis Vanguard. He founded the Vanguard in 2006. David Greenwald moved to Davis in 1996 to attend Graduate School at UC Davis in Political Science. He lives in South Davis with his wife Cecilia Escamilla Greenwald and three children.

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12 comments

  1. “Deputy DA Jim Walker would likely be an unmitigated disaster.”

    Unmitigated disaster? I know nothing about Jim Walker. I’m more of a fan of his brother, Johnny Walker. What is the basis for your attack on him?

  2. “Deputy DA Jim Walker would likely be an unmitigated disaster.”

    Unmitigated disaster? I know nothing about Jim Walker. I’m more of a fan of his brother, Johnny Walker. What is the basis for your attack on him?

  3. “Deputy DA Jim Walker would likely be an unmitigated disaster.”

    Unmitigated disaster? I know nothing about Jim Walker. I’m more of a fan of his brother, Johnny Walker. What is the basis for your attack on him?

  4. “Deputy DA Jim Walker would likely be an unmitigated disaster.”

    Unmitigated disaster? I know nothing about Jim Walker. I’m more of a fan of his brother, Johnny Walker. What is the basis for your attack on him?

  9. My take is this race will be a big yawner. The public will see a sitting judge (supported by the entire county judges’ bench) challenged by a disgruntled prosecutor. What’s the platform we saw today? “I am running because he is mean to me and to others.” Nowhere did I read that “the incumbent judge is incompetent.”

    The public will overwhelmingly put the incumbent back in office in a contested race — if Mr. Walker stays in the fight that long. He will probably drop out before June.

  10. My take is this race will be a big yawner. The public will see a sitting judge (supported by the entire county judges’ bench) challenged by a disgruntled prosecutor. What’s the platform we saw today? “I am running because he is mean to me and to others.” Nowhere did I read that “the incumbent judge is incompetent.”

    The public will overwhelmingly put the incumbent back in office in a contested race — if Mr. Walker stays in the fight that long. He will probably drop out before June.

  11. My take is this race will be a big yawner. The public will see a sitting judge (supported by the entire county judges’ bench) challenged by a disgruntled prosecutor. What’s the platform we saw today? “I am running because he is mean to me and to others.” Nowhere did I read that “the incumbent judge is incompetent.”

    The public will overwhelmingly put the incumbent back in office in a contested race — if Mr. Walker stays in the fight that long. He will probably drop out before June.

  12. My take is this race will be a big yawner. The public will see a sitting judge (supported by the entire county judges’ bench) challenged by a disgruntled prosecutor. What’s the platform we saw today? “I am running because he is mean to me and to others.” Nowhere did I read that “the incumbent judge is incompetent.”

    The public will overwhelmingly put the incumbent back in office in a contested race — if Mr. Walker stays in the fight that long. He will probably drop out before June.

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