Jay Benanav

Born: June 17, 1951; Ramat-Gan, Israel

Education:

• J.D., St. John's University School of Law, 1976
• B.A., State University of New York, 1973

• Weinblatt & Gaylord, attorney, 2001-present
• St. Paul City Council, Ward 4 councilmember, 1998-present
• Workers' Compensation Reinsurance Association, president and CEO, 1988-2001
• Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry, chief legal counsel, 1983-88
• Peterson, Engberg & Peterson, attorney, 1981-83
• Minnesota Senate, legal counsel, 1976-81
• Legal Aid Society of New York, 1974-76

• American Bar Association
• Minnesota State Bar Association
• Ramsey County Bar Association

• Baseball and soccer coach with the Highland-Groveland Recreation Association
• Merriam Park Community Council
• St. Paul Public Schools Citizens' Budget and Finance Advisory Committee
• Treasurer of the St. Paul/Ramsey County Children's Initiative
• Ramsey County election judge

Personal: Wife, Lucy Kanson; three children

Hobbies/Interests: Film, theater, traveling

Why do you want to be a judge?
I am seeking to be elected by the voters because I am qualified to be a judge. I have been an attorney for 30 years and am experienced in many areas of the law. I have served in both the public and private sectors. My experience ranges from researching and drafting civil and criminal statutes to legal representation of governmental entities, individuals, consumers and businesses. As a St. Paul Councilmember, I hear quasi-judicial matters and must make fair, impartial and timely decisions. These decisions may be reviewed by the District Court or appealed to the Minnesota Court of Appeals.

Why should voters select you rather than your opponents in the upcoming election?
Simply stated, my education, legal, professional and public service experience has given me the skills to be an effective judge. A judge must exhibit professional competence reflected by analytical ability, fairness, impartiality, professionalism and personal judgment. A judge must exhibit strong communication skills. A judge should have knowledge of many areas of the law. Judicial temperament (maturity, courtesy, civility, compassion, a commitment to public service, a focus on equal justice under the law, and the ability to uphold judicial independence despite political pressure) is crucial. A judge must demonstrate honesty, integrity, open-mindedness and humility. These are the skills needed and these are the skills I have exemplified as an attorney and public servant.

What experience have you had in dealing with the court on which you wish to sit?
The Ramsey County District Court is a court that hears a wide array of issues. It is important that judges have experience in many areas of the law. My legal and public service career has given me that experience. I have handled election law, real estate, employment issues, municipal law, administrative hearings, family law, probate, juvenile issues, consumer fraud and many others issues. I have experience working with procedural and evidentiary rules. I understand how to evaluate the credibility of witnesses, make factual determinations in an adversarial process, make timely decisions, narrow the issues and facilitate communications between parties, attorneys and the court.

What are the major issues facing the court on which you wish to serve?
The two major issues facing the court are 1) the ever-increasing caseloads and 2) the limited resources to handle the caseloads. Another major issue is how to prosecute domestic abuse cases and how to reduce the number and impact on society.

How can these realistically be addressed?
While additional court personnel and administrative resources would greatly assist in dealing with the growing caseloads, it appears unrealistic in today's political environment that such resources will be forthcoming. Therefore, the court must do more without sacrificing justice and impartiality. Continued improvement in, and new uses of, technology such as electronic filing of court documents by attorneys should be instituted. Mediation should be instituted to fairly and quickly resolve civil disputes to reduce the court's caseload. A domestic abuse court should be created that would be better able to focus on and successfully handle domestic assault matters and its devastating effects.

Do you believe it is good policy to discuss disputed legal and political issues during a judicial campaign? If so, what issues do you plan to discuss and why? If not, why shouldn't such issues be discussed?
No. I do not believe that it is good policy to discuss such issues. Public articulation of positions erodes confidence in the judicial system. Confidence in the judiciary is based on the notion that a judge will be fair and impartial. Putting aside personal and political bias is critical. Publicly articulating a position puts in doubt the notion that the judge will put aside those biases. Judges are bound to apply the rule of law and therefore should not articulate a personal position.

Recent court decisions allow judicial candidates to seek and use endorsements from political parties. To what extent, if any, should partisan politics play a part in judicial campaigns in Minnesota?
I am running without partisan political endorsement. I do not believe that partisan endorsement is good for the system. Judges should not be influenced by partisan political considerations. Judges must be free to use their best judgment to interpret and apply the law without fear of punishment. Judges should not be influenced by personal or political interests. It is important that the public believes that judges are impartial and will make decisions based on the merits of the case -- not on ideology or political influences.

What else, if anything, would you like the voters to know about your candidacy that you have not discussed so far?
Some have stated that my candidacy "politicizes" the judicial system because I am an elected councilmember and have not been appointed to the bench by the governor. Minnesota has a distinguished tradition of individuals who, prior to becoming a judge, served honorably in elective office, including retired Supreme Court Chief Justice Kathleen Blatz (Republican Minority Leader, MN House), Sandy Keith (DFL Lt. Governor and DFL candidate for Governor), Appeals Court Judge David Minge (DFL congressman), former Ramsey County Judge Larry Cohen (Mayor of St. Paul), Ramsey County Judge John Finley (County Commissioner) and Gary Bastian (Maplewood Mayor). Ramsey County District Court currently has five judges who were not appointed but elected by the voters (Kathleen Gearin, Margaret Marrinan, Michael DeCourcy, John Finley and Judith Tilsen). Alan Page, state Supreme Court, also was elected by the voters rather than appointed by the governor. It is my goal to serve as well and honorably as these former elected officials and elected judges.