Why I'm Running
The Senior Judge Conundrum
In light of the misguided direction of our Cobb County judicial officers, I believe I have an obligation to run in this year’s election. I have spent the last two years as an empathetic ear for people who feel they’ve been mistreated by the Cobb County judicial system. I have been observing the work of judges and I would often request to record public hearings which is authorized by Rule 22 of the Uniform Superior Court Rules. Interestingly, only three Cobb County Superior Court judges ever denied my request to record their hearings: Judge Grant Brantley, Judge Stephen Schuster and Judge Adele Grubbs. These three judges have one common denominator: They are all “senior judges”—retired judges not subject to election or reelection. In other words, there is no way to remove them from the bench; yet they continue to preside over cases, asserting their will and violating people’s rights with no accountability. See Cobb Leaders Rest On Their Laurels.
But how do we address these problematic senior judges, these alleged “leaders” who are not subject to the will of the voters? I can only conjure up one solution to inspire change: Challenge those elected judges who assign their cases to these senior judges, those who appoint them as mediators, and those who publicly encourage and praise them. I am open to other solutions but, at this time, I am not aware of any. To that end, I am challenging Judge Carl W. Bowers who in 2022 publicly praised Judge Brantley, stating that "Brantley's given me great advice many, many times over the years when I worked with him," and "I learned so much from him that I use today in the courtroom in state court." Bowers went on to say that Brantley has given Bowers "nothing but great advice." While Judge Bowers did not specify exactly what “advice” Judge Brantley has given Bowers that he uses in the courtroom, both judges utilize the "rubber-stamp" method for closing cases which is perhaps the biggest threat to due process facing civil litigants. Apparently, what we get from Judge Brantley we can expect from Judge Bowers.
Clearly, the Cobb County judiciary has a leadership problem and if we do not do something to change the course of our court system, we will undoubtedly suffer the fate of our neighbors in Fulton County, floundering and flailing in a cesspool of corruption and lawlessness. As cliché as it sounds: Not on my watch.
Matthew D. McMaster, Esq.
Candidate for Cobb County State Court Judge
“The first step in solving any problem is acknowledging that the problem exists.”
-Unknown
VOTE on May 21, 2024!
See also
- Political Adversaries Cut From the Same Cloth
- Cobb Judges Abandon Constitution to Protect the Establishment
- Cobb County judge sets the record straight in Fulton, or is all a facade?
Why Vote For Matt
Why Vote For Me On May 21
Vote for me because of what makes me different than the other candidates, and the short list is as follows:
1. First and foremost, I am the only candidate who publicly acknowledges the issues of cronyism, political connections and pay-to-play appointments that plague the Cobb County judicial system. The incumbent, Judge Carl W. Bowers, provides no promise for positive change but, rather, has publicly encouraged and praised Senior Judge Grant Brantley who is a longtime proponent and enabler of the corrupt system.
2. I cannot promise perfection, but I do promise that any mistake I make will be an honest one; while the incumbent executes his job with a severely outdated and flawed philosophy, which is inconsistent with his duty to make decisions based on the facts and the law.
3. Do not donate to my campaign if quid pro quo benefits are your expectation.
4. The Cobb judicial system needs change NOW.
Contribute
Your donation is an opportunity to be part of something bigger. Show Matt you have his support and help him inform the voters that he is what Cobb County needs for State Court Judge. Donate today and vote on May 21, 2024!
2022 Campaign
The Lion's Den
The Lion's Den is a detailed summary of Matt McMaster's recount of events that inspired his candidacy to run for Cobb County Superior Court Judge against incumbent Judge Robert D. Leonard, II in 2022. The original article has been republished and is still available here at thewikilaw.org.