Philip D. Bush

Click here to see video of the candidate.

Born: May 16, 1951; Minneapolis

Education:

• University of Minnesota Law School, J.D., 1980
• The University of Sheffield, M.A., 1977
• University of Minnesota, B.E.S., 1975

• Minnesota 4th Judicial District, judge, 1989-present
• Minnesota 4th District Public Defender’s Office, assistant public defender, 1980-89

• Minnesota District Judges Association

• First Lego League
• Leonardo’s Basement
• Mayflower Community Congregational Church
• Minnesota Judicial College

Hobbies/Interests: Cooking, cross-country skiing, kayaking, woodworking

Family: Wife, Kathryn Bishop; two children

Website: www.reelectjudgephilipbush.com

Why did you opt to become a judge?
I was raised in a family that emphasized public service and leaving things better than how you found them. A good trial judge makes an important difference in individual cases and contributes to the community by working to improve the overall judicial system. I am thankful to the lawyers and judges who encouraged me to become a judge. They believed that my skills, personality and legal knowledge would permit me to make a contribution as a judge. I work hard every day to earn the trust that has been placed in me as a judge and to improve our community.

Why should voters select you rather than your opponent?
I believe I am respected by colleagues on the bench, in the bar and in the community for my expertise in criminal justice matters, my problem solving skills and my evenhanded demeanor. I was appointed by Gov. Rudy Perpich through a merit selection process in 1989. In my 19 years on the bench I have presided over tens of thousands of cases, including a wide variety of criminal, civil and juvenile matters. I have effectively managed many homicide jury trials, complex civil trials, domestic abuse cases, drug court cases and other criminal cases, including two double homicide trials this year alone.

What have been some of your accomplishments during your time on the bench?
Improving our judicial system is a high priority for me. In 1994-95 my initiative, creativity and hard work was critical in the creation of Minnesota’s Extended Jurisdiction Juvenile law, a reform that has been adopted by a number of other states and has been widely praised as a fair balance of increased public safety and rehabilitation for serious juvenile offenders. In 1993-94 as presiding judge for the largest juvenile court in the state, and in 2005-07 as assistant presiding judge, I worked to improve court efficiency, improve case outcomes and reform foster care.

What are the major issues facing the court on which you sit?
In the next few years, the biggest challenge facing Minnesota’s judicial system will be maintaining equal access to the kind of high quality judicial system that Minnesotans deserve during a time of reduced state revenue and increasing court workload. While the courts will continue to work on efficiency and improved case management, there is a realistic limit to the benefits these efforts can provide. The court is part of a network of services that includes prosecutors, public defenders, law enforcement and probation officers. Without adequate resources for all these offices, the quality of justice in our community suffers.

How can these issues realistically be addressed?
Hennepin County District Court is one of the busiest and most efficient court systems in the nation. We are nationally recognized for our innovation and creativity. We need to continue to work on efficiency and improved methods of case management. We also need to educate the Legislature and the public about the critical importance of an adequately funded judicial system, including vital services such as the constitutionally mandated public defender system, which is in a funding crisis.

What role, if any, should politics play in judicial campaigns? (for example, party endorsements, discussions of political views, etc...)
Partisan politics should not play a role in judicial elections. I have signed both the Minnesota and Hennepin County bar associations’ Affirmation Regarding Responsible Judicial Campaign Conduct. Party endorsements should not be sought or used by judicial candidates. I will campaign on my qualifications, experience and proven record as a judge.

What else would you like voters to know about your candidacy?
I want to be re-elected as a judge to continue my career of public service on one of the best trial courts in the United States. Re-election will permit me to continue to work on projects like the Hennepin County District Court Record Project (digital recording of trial court proceedings). This reform has saved money and improved efficiency. In 2006 I received the Minnesota Association for Court Management’s Innovation Award for my work on this project. Hennepin County needs thoughtful, hardworking and experienced trial court judges. I want to continue to serve the people of Hennepin County.