Rick Johnson –Broad Jump from the Court to the Senate Rick Johnson is a nice guy with a ready smile that belies a sharp mind and politically sharp elbows that will take a jab at an opponent when there’s an opening. He didn't’t have to use the elbows when he ran for judicial posts up until 2006. Running for a judge’s job prior to Supreme Court decisions that allowed judges more leeway in campaigning, judge candidates were a fairly sedate lot. Former Kentucky Court of Appeals Judge Rick Johnson is running against Carroll Hubbard (see related story on Hubbard) in the May 20th primary for a chance to defeat State Senator Ken Winters in November. Biographical Background Attorney Rick Johnson has been a lawyer for over 28 years. He was Court of Appeals Judge Rick Johnson for fifteen years. He served on the Court from 1992 to 2006. He chose not to run for his seat on the Court of Appeals but for an open seat on the Kentucky Supreme Court. Circuit Court Judge Bill Cunningham (56th Judicial Circuit - Caldwell, Lyon, Livingston, & Both judicial candidates came to the attention of the state judicial ethics committee – Johnson for a television ad alleging Cunningham let rapists out of jail and Cunningham for statements he made on abortion. The Ethics panel didn’t censure either candidate, but expressed its displeasure in the media. After the election, Johnson went into private practice and became a partner in the firm of Sales, Tillman, Wallbaum, Catlett & Satterley. Johnson has lived in Symsonia in The Campaign Johnson’s campaign theme seems to be that he will be the representative that is trusted in His campaign is running television and radio spots and taking out ads in local newspapers. Johnson's television ads are crafted around the theme of trust for him in Frankfort, which will enable him to get things done for his district. His radio spot, a take-off on the game show “Jeopardy" - answers before questions, throws out positive answers about him and negative ones about Carroll Hubbard. Johnson has name recognition and he is known throughout the district. Whether it is sufficient to overcome Hubbard remains to be seen. Without a vigorous head to head debate schedule, voters will not see the two candidates in head to head clashes.
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