2022 Election – County Court Judge District 14
During the Primary Election, no one got a majority for this seat, so this contest is between Melissa Black and Eilam “Mike” Isaak. I spoke with Mrs. Black/Cordon during the primary. Mr. Isaak didn’t return the call then.
Black is a woman of color and a first-generation American who’s been practicing for about 16 years. She is Filipino, and her parents are both Physicians in Sun City. She practices under her maiden name, Cordon, making finding her a little more complicated. Her practice has been primarily child welfare cases, which somewhat limits her legal experience. I’d read a recommendation about her during the primary by someone connected to the court system. She reported that Black is well respected around the courthouse and has an excellent judicial temperament.
As you know, judges’ candidates are limited in what they can say. Still, we discussed the responsibility of judges to ensure that cases are conducted fairly without the side with the most resources having an unfair advantage. She understood that and had a good explanation as to ways judges can ensure a level playing field.
Mr. Isaak is from a Jewish family but said he had been in a Synagogue for nearly 30 years. He explained that his wife is Christian and wanted their children raised Christian. He told me a story of the pastor at the church they attend (more on that in a minute), explaining why he should also be a Christian so that his children are raised more Christianly.
I don’t much care about the religious beliefs of judges unless they interfere with their temperament and rulings. I think it is possible Isaak has some pro forma sense of the Christian Religion, but he didn’t seem enthusiastic. On the other hand, he attends Idlewild Baptist Church, a very conservative, very MAGA church. In the Group 37 Circuit Judge race, a guy named Jared Smith, a sitting judge, and Deacon at Idlewild, was beaten by Nancy Jacobs. Smith had previously issued an insane ruling (subsequently overruled on appeal) prohibiting a 17-year-old from getting an abortion. Smith has publicly stated that his values come from the Bible, and his value system comes from the life of Jesus. His wife also made some pretty nasty antisemitic statements during the campaign. Do Smith’s actions reflect Isaak’s performance on the bench? Likely not, but I have concerns.
His involvement, however tangential it might be, in a church like Idlewild Baptist is concerning enough. I liked him overall when we talked this past week. He doesn’t like diversion programs but does like the specialty courts we have here in Hillsborough and thinks we lead the nation in those programs. However, he is a loud and proud card-carrying member of the Federalist Society and defends claiming they want a return to a judicial system that doesn’t “legislate.” I told him that while their statement of purpose might be admirable, their actions and judicial recommendations did not support their stated purpose.
Given that, I’m recommending Melissa Black.
