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James Anderson (Alabama)
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This is the profile for James Anderson of the 15th Circuit Court in Alabama. If you are looking for another person by this name, please click here.
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James H. Anderson is the Democratic judge for Place 5 on the 15 Circuit in Alabama. He won election to the seat unopposed in the general election on November 8, 2016.
Anderson previously served as Place 1 judge on the court from September 2014 to December 8, 2014.[1][2]
Biography
Anderson received an undergraduate degree from Huntingdon College. In 1979, he completed a J.D. at the Cumberland School of Law of Samford University and was admitted to practice law in Alabama the same year. Shortly after receiving his law degree, Anderson joined the Montgomery-based law firm of Hill, Hill, Carter, Franco, Cole, & Black. He became a partner at the firm in 1983 and continued to practice there until 1988, when he co-founded the private practice firm of Beers, Anderson, Jackson, Patty, & Fawal, P.C. He has also been an instructor at the Jones School of Law.[3][4]
Anderson is widowed and has three children: Jesse, Marjorie, and Anna. He is a Baptist.[3]
Awards and associations
| Click [show] for information about Anderson's legal and political associations and awards. |
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Associations
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Political career
2016
Election: Alabama 15th Circuit Court
Alabama held general elections for local judicial offices in 2016. A primary election took place on March 1, 2016, with a primary runoff on April 12, 2016. The general election was held on November 8, 2016.
General election
James Anderson ran unopposed in the general election for the Alabama 15th Judicial Circuit Place 5 seat.[5]
| Alabama 15th Judicial Circuit (Place 5), General Election, 2016 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | |
| Democratic |  James Anderson (unopposed) | |
| Source: Alabama Votes, "2016 Unofficial General Election Results," accessed November 10, 2016 | ||
Primary election
James Anderson defeated Frank Snowden in the Alabama 15th Circuit Court Democratic primary for Place 5.[6]
| Alabama 15th Judicial Circuit (Place 5), Democratic Primary, 2016 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Vote % | Votes |
| James Anderson |
72.34% | 18,585 |
| Frank Snowden | 27.66% | 7,105 |
| Total Votes | 25,690 | |
| Source: Alabama Votes, "Unofficial Election Night Results," March 3, 2016 | ||
Selection method
- See also: Partisan elections
There are 144 judges on the Alabama Circuit Courts, each elected to six-year terms. They appear on partisan election ballots statewide and must face re-election if they wish to serve again. The chief judge of a circuit court is selected by peer vote and serves a three-year term.[7]
Only voters residing in a particular circuit may vote for the circuit judge of that region.[7]
Qualifications
To serve on this court, a judge must be:
- licensed to practice law for at least five years;
- a resident of his or her circuit for at least one year;
- under the age of 70 at the time of election (judges who turn 70 in office may serve until their term expires)[7][8]
2014
Appointment: Alabama 15th Circuit Court
Anderson was appointed to a temporary 180-day term as Place 1 judge on the Alabama 15th Judicial Circuit by Charles Price, the presiding judge of the court, to fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Tracy S. McCooey (D). Anderson stated at the time of his appointment, "I know it's not anything permanent, but I'm certainly hoping it will be," and put himself forward as a candidate for the permanent appointment. Gov. Robert Bentley (R), however, selected Greg Griffin (D) on December 2, 2014. Griffin replaced Anderson on December 8, 2014.[1]
2010
Election: Alabama Attorney General
- See also: Alabama Attorney General election, 2010
Anderson won the Democratic primary in a runoff against Giles Perkins. He lost to Luther Strange in the general election.
| 2010 Race for Attorney General - Democratic Primary[9] | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote Percentage | |
| Democratic Party |  James Anderson
|
49.6% | |
| Democratic Party | Giles Perkins | 31.1% | |
| Democratic Party | Michel Nicrosi | 19.3% | |
| Total Votes | 275,825 | ||
| 2010 Race for Attorney General - Democratic Primary Runoff[10] | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote Percentage | |
| Democratic Party | James Anderson
|
60.0% | |
| Democratic Party | Giles Perkins | 40.0% | |
| Total Votes | 117,129 | ||
| 2010 Race for Attorney General - General Election[11] | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote Percentage | |
| Republican Party | Luther Strange
|
58.8% | |
| Democratic Party | James Anderson | 41.1% | |
| Write-In | 0.1% | ||
| Total Votes | 1,476,075 | ||
Campaign finance
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According to Follow the Money, Anderson raised $231,260 in 2010 for his state attorney general campaign as of September 20, 2010.[12]
Listed below are the top five contributors:
| Donor | Amount |
|---|---|
| Arbor Committee | $27,500 |
| James H. Anderson | $23,275 |
| Taylor & Taylor | $10,500 |
| TOC PAC | $10,000 |
| STA PAC | $10,000 |
2002
Election: Alabama Supreme Court
- See also: Alabama Supreme Court elections
Anderson was defeated in his bid for the Alabama Supreme Court in 2002. Incumbent Harold See was re-elected to the court.[13]
| Candidate | Incumbent | Seat | Party | Election votes | Election % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Harold See  |
Yes | Republican | 676,539 | 51.4% | |
| James H. Anderson | No | Democratic | 609,490 | 46.3% | |
| Tom Bear | No | Libertarian | 29,247 | 2.2% |
1986
Appointment: Alabama Ethics Commission
In 1986, Anderson was appointed by Gov. George Wallace (D) to a five-year term as chairman of the Alabama Ethics Commission. Lt. Gov. Lucy Baxley (D) later appointed Anderson as a member of the Alabama State Personnel Board and the Alabama State Employees Insurance Board.[1][3]
Noteworthy events
2010: Christianity comment
Anderson stated that he did not understand how someone could be both a Christian and a Republican at the Cherokee County Democratic Club meeting on September 14, 2010. The statement drew criticism from Republicans, including the state's Republican Party Chairman Mike Hubbard, who stated, "Alabamians hold their individual faith dear, and James Anderson has stooped to a new low to question the Christianity of all those who vote Republican." Anderson stated that he was being satirical and joking when he made the comment.[14]
See also
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Montgomery Advertiser, "James Anderson appointed special circuit court judge," September 5, 2014
- ↑ WAKA.com, "Alabama Governor Names Montgomery Judge," December 2, 2014
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Vote Smart, "James Anderson's Biography," accessed September 21, 2016
- ↑ Martindale.com, "James H. Anderson - Lawyer Profile," accessed October 2, 2014
- ↑ Alabama Votes, "2016 Election Information," accessed May 5, 2016
- ↑ Alabama Votes, "2016 Primary Election Sample Ballots," accessed February 19, 2016
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 American Judicature Society, "Methods of Judicial Selection: Alabama," archived October 2, 2014
- ↑ Judicial Retirement Laws, "Alabama: Mandatory Retirement Provisions Applicable Generally," accessed March 31, 2016
- ↑ Alabama Secretary of State - 2010 Democratic Primary Election Results
- ↑ Alabama Secretary of State - 2010 Democratic Primary Runoff Election Results
- ↑ Alabama Secretary of State - 2010 General Election Results
- ↑ Follow the Money, "Campaign Contributions for James H. Anderson, 2010"
- ↑ Alabama Secretary of State, 2002 General Election Results
- ↑ Zionica.com, "AG candidate's joke about faith riles GOP," October 1, 2010
Federal courts:
Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals • U.S. District Court: Northern District of Alabama, Middle District of Alabama, Southern District of Alabama • U.S. Bankruptcy Court: Northern District of Alabama, Middle District of Alabama, Southern District of Alabama
State courts:
Alabama Supreme Court • Alabama Court of Civil Appeals • Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals • Alabama Circuit Courts • Alabama District Courts • Alabama Juvenile Courts • Alabama Municipal Courts • Alabama Probate Courts • Alabama Small Claims Courts
State resources:
Courts in Alabama • Alabama judicial elections • Judicial selection in Alabama
