VENTURA : Seymour Opposes a Judicial Litmus Test

S. Sen. John Seymour, in Ventura on a campaign stop Thursday, said he would not impose a litmus test on abortion for potential state, federal or Supreme Court judge candidates if he wins election in November.

During a quick visit to Ventura to pick up endorsements from local and state law enforcement groups, the Republican senator said that choosing judges based on where they stand on controversial issues, such as abortion, is a mistake.

Democrat Dianne Feinstein, Seymour’s opponent for one of two California senatorial seats up for election, has promised to vote for judges who support abortion rights, Seymour said.

“Once you go down that path . . . you have succeeded in politicizing the judiciary,” he said.

Seymour also promised to continue his support of the death penalty and to support legislation to reform the judicial system so that Death Row inmates have fewer chances to appeal their convictions.

At a brief news conference on the steps of Ventura City Hall, Seymour was lauded by Chief Assistant Dist. Atty. Colleen Toy White for helping to confirm three new federal judges in California. Lourdes G. Baird, Linda H. McLaughlin and Irma E. Gonzales are judges who “will not undermine law enforcement’s efforts by putting personal views first and the rule of law last,” White said.

Seymour received endorsements from the California Police Chiefs Assn., the California Peace Officers Assn., the Ventura Police Management Assn., Dist. Atty. Michael D. Bradbury and Sheriff John Gillespie.

White said that although Seymour has only been in office two years, he has gained the support of Ventura County law enforcement for his tough stance on crime. He is a co-sponsor of the Violence Against Women Act, which doubles the current sentencing level for repeat sex offenders, she said.

“We believe he has only just begun to show what he can do for California,” she said.

Seymour was also scheduled to address the Ventura County World Affairs Council at a meeting in Thousand Oaks on Thursday night. He said he would talk about opportunities to increase trade in California and how to create more jobs.