Why Sam Murray Is Best of Eight Great Judicial Candidates

All eight candidates seeking the three vacancies on Northampton County's bench would make great judges. One of them, Lenny Zito, has already proved his worth as a valuable addition to the bench. The remaining seven candidates have all avoided the barbs and arrows so common in the political arena, a testament to their maturity. They've all run positive campaigns. But on Tuesday, my first choice for judge will be Sam Murray.

Other candidates have their strengths, to be sure. Zito is rated most qualified of all candidates by local lawyers. Karl Longenbach undoubtedly has the best judicial temperament and most logical mind. Craig Dally is by far the most personable. Narlesky has the most experience as prosecutor, defense attorney and sitting magistrate. Heimbach has a wealth of civil trial experience in complicated medical malpractice litigation. No one can touch Hollenbach's knowledge of workers' compensation. Koury has refused to accept any contributions from local lawyers.

Murray has all these qualities. He has Zito's work ethic, and is rated the second most qualified candidate by his peers. Like Karl Longenbach, you never see Sam lose his cool. Like Narlesky and Heimbach, Sam has considerable civil and criminal trial experience. Like Koury and Narlesky, he has served in a judiciary capacity, serving as a master in custody, dependency and delinquency hearings. His support has been grass roots, consisting of many modest contributions.

But there is one final quality that really sets Sam apart. He constantly strives to make himself better. As a Master, I'd often see him pull out little pieces of paper with one word like "compassion" written on them. They are his own personal reminders of qualities he'd like to improve in himself. It's a sign of his own recognition that he is, like you and me, an imperfect human being. It's humility, a rare virtue in a judge.

That's why he's the best of a very good group.