Embattled Fine scores easy Family Court win

Jace Radke

Wednesday, Sept. 2, 1998 | 10:47 a.m.

Incumbent Family Court Judge Fran Fine fended off three challengers and questions of judicial misconduct to win the Department E Family Court primary.

Fine won the primary with 40.25 percent of the vote, with Bob Lueck also advancing to the general election with 24.45 percent in the four candidate primary.

Fine still must address judicial conduct complaints stemming from exparte conferences, meetings and phone calls to parties involved in court cases she was presiding over, but the public still made her the favorite to retain the seat.

"I had no idea what to expect going in, but I'm delighted for the communities support," Fine said from her home Tuesday night. "I'm glad the voters showed that they look into a story when they see a candidate getting beat up and beat up some more. I'm just very grateful and very tired."

Incumbent Judge Bill Voy won the Department A primary with 27.58 percent of the vote, while James Guesman finished second with 22 percent to ensure his place on the general election ballot.

The Department A primary featured five candidates.

Voy, 39, has instituted a Wednesday night court session and a fast-track system for trials and decisions since taking the bench.

Guesman, 54, is a lawyer that advocates quick decisions based on common sense rather than extensive court hearings.

The Department A seat was vacated earlier this year with the resignation of original Family Court Judge Terrance Marren, who took the job of city attorney in Mesquite. The seat was filled on April 30 by Voy.

Of the six Family Court seats only Departments A and E had multiple challengers, with Department D's Judge Gerald Hardcastle facing only Nicholas Del Vecchio, an attorney.

The unchallenged judges of Departments B, C and F are Gloria Sanchez, Steve Jones and Bob Gaston.