Harrison, Broderson vying for judge's spot

Martha Blair Harrison and Sid Broderson will face off for a six-year term as family court judge in Allen and Simpson counties.

Broderson said he was thankful to be one of two candidates who moves on to the general election in November.

&#8220I’m certainly glad and relieved,” he said.

He received a total of 1,875 votes or 54.8 percent of the vote, while Harrison earned 1,184 votes to finish second with 34.6 percent. Scottsville attorney Jim Alexander received a total of 364 votes all but 44 of his votes were cast in Allen County, where he lives.

Broderson dominated Simpson County, receiving 83.9 percent of the vote and a total of 1,457 votes. Broderson has served as Simpson County Attorney since 1986.

Harrison did well in her home county, winning 56.3 percent of the vote in Allen County with 949 votes. Broderson finished second in Allen County receiving 418 votes, or 24.8 percent of Allen County voters.

Harrison is serving as the family court judge after being appointed to the position May 7 by Gov. Ernie Fletcher. She was sworn in Saturday.

She plans to use her time in that position to show the people of Allen and Simpson counties that she’s a hard-working judge who also focuses on the best interests of children and families, Harrison said.

&#8220I spent all day yesterday in Allen County reviewing cases,” she said.

The rest of the time before November, Harrison said she will work to familiarize herself with the people of Simpson County.

&#8220I don’t have much experience there,” she said. &#8220I’m just getting my feet wet there.”

Simpson County has good drug prevention and child abuse programs already, Harrison said.

&#8220They have a lot of forward-thinking, family-oriented programs. They also have a great school system,” she said. &#8220I’m looking forward to working with all of them to improve the lives of children and families.”

The race was fair and the candidates were cordial to each other, Alexander said.

&#8220I just didn’t come out as well as I hoped I would,” he said.

Broderson is a 1979 graduate of the University of Kentucky Law School and received an undergraduate degree from Western Kentucky University. Prior to becoming county attorney, Broderson practice general law in Franklin.

Harrison was formerly an attorney for the Harrison and Goin Law Firm. She graduated in 1995 from the University of Louisville College of Law. She received a master’s degree in 1976 from Western Kentucky University and an undergraduate degree in 1972 from Mary Washington College of the University of Virginia, now known as Mary Washington University.

She has received the Guardian ad Litem Award from Court Appointed Special Advocates, the Award of Merit from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and in 2006 was the Pro Bono Publico award recipient from the Bowling Green-Warren County Bar Association for service to the poor.

Harrison is a member of the family law sections of the American and Kentucky bar associations.

Few voters came to the polls. There are 23,503 registered voters in Allen and Simpson counties and only 14.6 percent voted in this nonpartisan race.

Turnout in Allen County was 13.8 percent and in Simpson County, 15.4 percent of registered voters came to the polls.