Ruling expected in candidates’ statements An...

Ruling expected in candidates’ statements

An Orange County Superior Court judge today is expected to rule on

the validity of two Newport Beach judicial candidates’ claims that

each other’s ballot statements contain false or misleading

information.

Superior Court Judge Thomas Thrasher should rule at 9 a.m. today

on dueling legal claims that were filed last week in Santa Ana,

attorney Mike Schroeder said.

Kelly MacEachern asked for an emergency hearing, otherwise known

as an “ex parte” hearing.

MacEachern, Schroeder’s client, and Vickie Bridgman are both

seeking a Superior Court judgeship in the Nov. 5 election. Both women

live in Newport Beach and serve as deputy district attorneys.

MacEachern, in her lawsuit, accuses Bridgman of publicizing

endorsements she has not received, including one from Rep. Chris Cox.

Bridgman, for her part, said MacEachern includes extraneous material

that isn’t permitted, including praise from the Los Angeles Times.