Incumbent seeks 2nd term,
challenger seeks 1st judgeship

DEARBORN - In less than a month, voters will decide whether they'll keep a current 19th District Court judge or select a lifelong Dearborn resident as his replacement.

In an effort to keep readers informed about the candidates who will seek their vote on Election Day — Nov. 4 — and the issues that matter, the Press & Guide has asked each candidate who will appear on the ballot to submit some background information about themselves and to answer a few questions related to their respective political race.

The following are the Dearborn court candidates' responses.

Candidates in the 19th District Court race include current Chief Judge Mark Somers, who will serve as the incumbent candidate, and Dearborn resident Candyce Abbatt.

Why do you believe you are the best candidate for the position?

Abbatt: There are many reasons why I am clearly the best choice for Dearborn.

First, I am the candidate who is most representative of this community. I was born and raised here. I walked to Fordson each day. I spent my summers at the Ford Woods pool. I chose to raise my family here. I understand this community because my family and I are an integral part of it. Those who will appear before me have the same history, and I understand and appreciate our diverse culture.

Second, I am highly qualified for the job. I have spent the last 25 years in the courtroom defending and prosecuting complex family issues. My professional, personal and civic credentials are impeccable. In every civic commitment I have made, I have quickly risen to leadership because I roll up my sleeves and give it my all. Good lawyers make great judges. So do good mothers.

Somers: As a lawyer, I spent 19 years in civil and criminal law practice in 40-plus state and federal courts and tribunals. As a judge, I've decided more than 30,000 cases, presided over more jury trials than any other Dearborn judge and been twice appointed "chief judge" by Supreme Court. I've had NO ethical violations in my 25-year career. I'm the only candidate with the highest rating, "OUTSTANDING," from the Bar Association.

What do you think are the most pertinent issues facing the court?

Abbatt: I am embarrassed by the controversy which surrounds our district court. Not one, not two, but three Federal discrimination lawsuits have been filed against my opponent by female court employees, more than any other judge in the state of Michigan.

Three pending lawsuits under these conditions is absurd. In Detroit, it only took one lawsuit to cost the taxpayers $8.3 million. In the 48th District Court, it only took one lawsuit by a court employee to cost them $3 million. Dearborn taxpayers need to seriously consider whether they can afford to continue to expose themselves to this sort of potential liability (and embarrassment).

Somers: (1) Maintaining an ethical, experienced, effective judiciary. I led the fight for ethics by reporting a fellow judge's misconduct and against nepotism when the same judge tried to promote his girlfriend to the top court administrator position.

My opponent criticizes my actions as "dissension" and "discrimination," but the Judicial Tenure Commission and the Michigan Supreme Court both agreed with me. (2) Continuing the nearly $400,000 annual budget surplus created during my tenure as chief judge.

What programs would you implement to help those convicted of certain crimes in the court as a way to reform them?

Abbatt: Youthful offenders, particularly first-timers, can benefit from assistance programs. A neighboring community has a program known as "Youth Forum." District judges, school officials, health department and mental health experts, as well as church and other organization members meet periodically to hold forums on pertinent issues and come up with plans to target various issues, such as underage drinking, peer pressure and drug issues.

Speakers address various problems, and the group tries to be proactive. Through this program, families have been referred to various organizations to seek help. Statistics show kids today are getting involved in more serious crimes. We have had not new programs in many years. Action is needed.

Somers: I preside over the Drug Court, supervising drug/alcohol treatment. New, court-operated "programs" are unnecessary. Programs are available through third parties with whom we have working partnerships (e.g. SEMCA for substance abuse treatment funding, "Growthworks" for juvenile counseling).

Additional professional probation staff is needed to "case manage" probationers' use of outside programs. Volunteers cannot perform certain necessary functions (i.e. substance abuse evaluations, access to criminal record information systems; making entries into official court record information systems).

Candidate profiles

Somers, 50, is the youngest of four brothers. He grew up in Michigan and northern India, where his parents served as missionaries in educational and agricultural programs.

After graduating from high school in India, Somers returned to Michigan to attend James Madison College at Michigan State University, where he graduated with honors. Somers then went on to graduate from Wayne State University Law School.

Somers has been a member of the State Bar of Michigan since 1983; he was admitted to practice in U.S. Federal District Court and Circuit Court in 1985 and 1986, respectively. Somers is also a member of the Wayne County District Court Judges' Association, the Kiwanis Club of Dearborn-Outer Drive, the First United Methodist Church of Dearborn, and an Advisory Board member for ADC-Michigan civil rights organization. The current 19th District Court judge also works with W.A.D.O.S., Women's Association for the Dearborn Orchestral Society and participated in the Dearborn Public School District's "Strategic Planning" and "Model School District" programs.

Somers, a Dearborn resident of 28 years who enjoys gardening and cooking, has been married to his wife, Jennie, for 30 years. They have two children together, Mark Warren II, and Edward.

Abbatt, 49, is a lifelong Dearborn resident and 1976 Fordson graduate. Her record includes earning her J.D. Degree from the Wayne State University Law School after earning a B.A. in political science from the University of Michigan-Dearborn in 1979.

The late Mayor Michael A. Guido appointed Abbatt to the Dearborn Public Library Commission in 1997. While serving as chair from 2001-03, Abbatt helped create the Dearborn Public Library Foundation, whose mission is to secure public and corporate funding in order to maintain a high level of library services in the era of funding cuts.

Professionally, Abbatt has been named a State Bar of Michigan Foundation trustee. Her ties to Wayne State remain strong through her membership on the Law School's Executive Committee since 2001. Abbatt has also served on the Wayne State University Strategic Planning Committee since 2004.

Abbatt was appointed by Federal District Judge Nancy Edmunds to two Wayne State Law Dean Search Committees and holds the distinction of being the first woman president of the Wayne State Law Alumni Association. She also served on the recent search committee for a new Dearborn library director.

Abbatt in 2007 was appointed to serve as chair of the Fairlane Club Board of Directors. She also occupied a seat on the Henry Ford Hospital Western Region Board from 2002-06.

Abbatt's husband, Bill, is also an attorney. The two enjoy gardening and they have two daughters — Bailey, 18, and Casey, 22.

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