Judge Kendrick Wilson

By Elizabeth Doramé Bushell

 In 2019, Judge Kendrick Wilson was appointed to complete the term of retiring Judge Maria Felix. He was later elected to the position and is now running for reelection. Since there is no Republican candidate on this year’s ballot, the primary on July 30 will determine who will serve as the judge for Judicial Precinct 9 for the next 4 years.

Judge Wilson is 1 of only 3, out of 7, judges on the Justice Court who holds a law degree. After law school he spent 10 years working in private practice, as a deputy Pima County Attorney, then as a deputy prosecutor and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Pascua Yaqui Tribe. He left the Tribe when he was appointed to serve on the Justice Court.

In addition to his other responsibilities, Judge Wilson presides over the domestic violence and animal welfare courts helping to protect the rights of some of the most vulnerable in our community. It is crucially important that we reelect Judge Wilson and ensure that our Justice Court judges are qualified to protect the rights of everyone who appears before them.

As a Latina I am an ardent supporter of women, Latinos, and diversity. However, as an attorney and Pima County citizen, I believe that electing an unqualified person to the bench would be a terrible disservice to our community. Having to appear before a judge with no legal experience or formal legal training, especially without a lawyer, is a risk that no citizen should have to take.

Judge Wilson has been publicly endorsed by Andrés Cano, Adelita Grijalva, Maria Felix, Joel Feinman, and the AZ NOW Political Action Committee. I encourage all who truly care about protecting the rights of Pima County citizens to also endorse his candidacy.