By Shawn McGrath, Herald Bulletin Staff Writer
ANDERSON — The speculation has been rife.
But while the deadline isn’t until Friday, several Madison County attorneys are expected to file an application with Gov. Mitch Daniels’ office to become the next judge of Madison Superior Court 4.
The court’s bench was left vacant with the sudden death of well-liked and well-respected Judge David W. Hopper, 60, on Feb. 25 of a heart attack. Any replacement will be tasked with running Drug Court, the court’s alternative program for dealing with low-level drug offenders.
Whomever Daniels, a Republican, chooses will likely be a member of the GOP. Hopper, also a Republican, won re-election in November, and his replacement will have the benefit of completing his six-year term before facing election.
The possible candidates to replace Hopper range from a former Superior Court judge to former candidates for judicial office.
Most of the rumored candidates declined to comment outright or only offered vague answers when asked by The Herald Bulletin if they have or will seek the appointment. Once the applications have been submitted, officials with the governor’s office will begin the interview process.
These are the possible candidates and their odds of applying for the vacancy:
• Tom Chaille, 38
Chaille, a Republican, worked as a Madison County deputy prosecutor from 1997 to 2006. Currently, Chaille is an Allen County deputy prosecutor. He unsuccessfully ran for Circuit Court judge against Fredrick Spencer in 2005. He is also a former Anderson city attorney.
Odds: Good
• Jason Childers, 35
Childers, a Republican, is currently a public defender in Superior Court 3. He also practices personal injury and family law.
Odds: Good
• Stephen Clase, 63
Clase, a Republican, was the first Superior Court 3 judge, appointed in 1976 with the court’s creation. He lost his bid to be elected as the court’s judge in November of that year to current Judge Thomas Newman. Clase currently serves as an appointed magistrate handling criminal arraignments and other duties.
Odds: Excellent
• Rodney Cummings, 53
Cummings, a Republican, was Madison County’s prosecutor for 12 years. He is currently director of trial advocacy for the Marion County prosecutor’s office. He lost the 2006 race to remain prosecutor to Thomas Broderick Jr. Cummings also lost his race in 2008 to become judge of Madison Superior Court 2.
Odds: Even
• Bill Davisson, 47
Davisson, a Republican, currently works as an attorney in Anderson. He unsuccessfully ran in November to unseat Superior Court 5 Judge Thomas Clem. He is a former deputy prosecutor and judge pro tem.
Odds: Good
• David Happe, 37
Happe, a Republican, served as Anderson attorney under former Mayor Kevin Smith. He has also worked as a deputy prosecutor and as Madison County’s chief administrative public defender. He is currently in private practice. He ran an unsuccessful campaign against Judge Thomas Clem in 2002 for Superior Court 5.
Odds: Excellent
• Rudolph Pyle III, 39
Pyle, who declined to give his political affiliation, currently works as a Madison County deputy prosecutor, but also worked under Cummings in the office. He has clerked for the Indiana Court of Appeals, and has been an Indiana State Police trooper. He has a master’s degree in public policy.
Odds: Excellent
Several other attorneys — including some Democrats — are also believed to be considering the judicial opening, including:
• Anderson criminal defense attorney Zaki Ali
• Edgewood Town Court Judge Scott Norrick
• Pendleton attorney Bryce Owens
• Former Colorado Supreme Court Justice Gregory Scott
• Anderson attorney Richard Walker
• Elwood attorney James Wilson
Contact Shawn McGrath: 640-4883, shawn.mcgrath@heraldbulletin.com
Ministers to offer recommendation for judge
Members of the Concerned Ministers, Ministers Alliance, Madison County branch of the NAACP and the Urban League of Madison County will hold a press conference at 11 a.m. Tuesday on the steps of the Madison County Government Center to offer their recommendation for the judgeship appointment for Madison Superior Court 4.
The members met Saturday at Ivy Tech Community College in Anderson to interview prospective candidates, including Zaki Ali, Rudolph Pyle III and Gregory Scott, said the Rev. Reginald Lee.
