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Craig Jenison
Craig Jenison is a former candidate for the Fifty-eighth Judicial District Court in Michigan.[1] Jenison was defeated in the primary election on August 2, 2016.
Biography
Jenison was born on December 19, 1960. He attended Jenison High School, received a bachelor's degree from Alma College in 1983, and earned a J.D. from the Thomas M. Cooley Law School in 1987. Jenison is an attorney who practices criminal, civil, and family law. He has worked at the law firm of Schenk Boncher & Prasher and was an adjunct professor at Grand Valley State University. Jenison has affiliations with the following groups: Ambucs; Jenison School Board; Grandville Jenison Chamber of Commerce; Ottawa Area School Board Association.[2]
Campaign themes
2016
Jenison participated in Ballotpedia's 2016 survey of local judicial candidates. The following sections display his responses to the survey questions. When asked what non-judicial legal experience qualifies him to be a judge, the candidate made the following statement:
| “ | In my 29 years as an attorney, not only does my experience in negotiations, mediation and trial skills qualify me, but the interpersonal relationship and people skills that it takes to interact with clients, opposing parties and other attorneys have prepared me for this judicial position.[2][3] | ” |
When asked why he was running for this particular court seat, the candidate made the following statement:
| “ | I want to continue my lifelong service to the citizens of Ottawa County. The 58th District Court position is located in Hudsonville. I was born and raised in this area. I believe my experience and knowledge of the law in my 29 years of practice puts me in a unique position. I have been on both sides of all cases that come before a District Court Judge -- prosecutor and defense counsel in criminal matters; plaintiff and defense counsel in civil matters. I have also served as a family law mediator and civil law facilitator for over 15 years.
I am also committed to this community by serving on the Jenison School Board for over 26 years, former president of the Ottawa Area School Board Association, and a member of the Jenison Ambucs, and Grandville Jenison Chamber of Commerce. I want to further my service to the community by providing fair and informed legal decisions and a safe community for our citizens.[2][3] |
” |
When asked to identify one judge, past or present, who he admires, the candidate made the following statement:
| “ | Edward R. Post, current Circuit Court Judge in Ottawa County[2][3] | ” |
When asked about his primary concern regarding today's judicial system in his state, the candidate made the following statement:
| “ | My primary concern about the legal system is to insure that everyone who comes into the court is properly informed as to their legal rights and that they are treated equally. In my 29 years of legal experience, I have seen too many instances where this is not the case.[2][3] | ” |
Jenison described his judicial philosophy as the following:
| “ | My judicial philosophy is similar to the philosophy I have utilized in my 29 years of practice of the law. I will be an engaged judicial officer, not an activist. My decisions will be informed, impartial and objective. Litigants, attorneys, witnesses, court personnel and police officers will be treated with courtesy and respect. I will run the courtroom in an efficient and effective manner.[2][3] | ” |
Elections
2016
Michigan held general elections for local judicial offices on November 8, 2016. A primary election occurred on August 2, 2016. The candidate filing deadline for incumbents was March 21, and the deadline for non-incumbents was April 19.[4] Vernon D. Helder and Judy Mulder defeated Craig Jenison in the 58th District primary election .[1]
| 58th District, Primary Election, 2016 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Vote % | Votes |
 Vernon D. Helder |
39.04% | 13,537 |
| Judy Mulder |
36.24% | 12,568 |
| Craig Jenison | 24.72% | 8,571 |
| Total Votes | 34,676 | |
| Source: Michigan Department of State, "Official Primary Results," August 23, 2016 | ||
Selection method
- See also: Nonpartisan election of judges
Judges of the Michigan District Courts are each elected to six-year terms.[5] The elections for this court are nonpartisan contested elections. To serve on this court, a judge must be a qualified elector of the district, licensed to practice law in the state, under the age of 70, and have five years of experience practicing law.
See also
External links
- Michigan Secretary of State, "2016 Michigan Unofficial Candidate Listing," April 19, 2016
- Official campaign website
- Craig Jenison on Facebook
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Michigan Secretary of State, "2016 Michigan Unofficial Candidate Listing," April 19, 2016
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 Ballotpedia's local judicial candidate survey, 2016, "Craig Jenison's Responses," August 1, 2016
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ Michigan Secretary of State, "2016 Michigan Election Dates," accessed December 7, 2015
- ↑ Michigan Courts, "Michigan Trial Courts," accessed April 3, 2017
Federal courts:
Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals • U.S. District Court: Eastern District of Michigan, Western District of Michigan • U.S. Bankruptcy Court: Eastern District of Michigan, Western District of Michigan
State courts:
Michigan Supreme Court • Michigan Court of Appeals • Michigan Circuit Court • Michigan Court of Claims • Michigan District Courts • Michigan Municipal Courts • Michigan Probate Courts
State resources:
Courts in Michigan • Michigan judicial elections • Judicial selection in Michigan
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