Decision in judge race challenges remains on hold

Paul Clinton

A judge opted out of a legal dispute between two judicial

candidates on Wednesday, saying he knows the two personally.

Orange County Superior Court Judge David C. Velasquez, at a 1:30

p.m. Wednesday hearing, said he could not issue an opinion in the

case, which will be reassigned to another judge, his court clerk

said.

Newport Beach residents Vickie Ann Bridgman and Kelly Ann

MacEachern, both deputy district attorneys, are campaigning for

Superior Court judgeship No. 22.

Both women have also filed legal challenges to each other’s Aug. 8

ballot statement. In similar claims, they allege that the other

candidate has made “false and misleading” statements.

MacEachern, in an Aug. 22 lawsuit, accuses Bridgman of claiming

endorsements she hasn’t secured, including Rep. Chris Cox and several

attorney groups.

Bridgman, in a challenge filed three days earlier, said MacEachern

included “extraneous material” that is not permitted, including

praise from the Los Angeles Times.

The two women will vie for the seat in the Nov. 5 election. In the

March 5 primary, Bridgman and MacEachern were the top two

vote-getters, securing 46% and 36%, respectively. Since neither won

more than 50%, a runoff is necessary.