Montgomery, Ala. - Yesterday, a subcommittee of the State Democratic Executive Committee (SDEC) of Alabama met concerning the show cause order issued against Sebrina Martin, a candidate for the office of Circuit Judge of Montgomery County (Place 3.) The hearing was conducted under the Bylaws of the Alabama Democratic Party.
Evidence presented at the hearing showed that Martin provided incomplete, misleading, and false information to the Alabama Ethics Commission through her Statement of Economic Interests. As a result of information received by the Party after the primary election, Party Chair Rep. Chris England ordered Martin to show cause why her nomination should not be withdrawn.
“Our Bylaws have processes in place to protect the integrity of the Alabama Democratic Party. This subcommittee represented a broad cross-section of the Party, including members of its diversity constituencies. The subcommittee worked according to the process established by the Bylaws and unanimously voted to withdraw Martin’s nomination for this office,” said Rep. Chris England, Chair of the Alabama Democratic Party.
“Every candidate that seeks ballot access through the Alabama Democratic Party must comply with all mandatory disclosure requirements, including completing their Statement of Economic Interests. This requirement is especially important for judges and candidates for judicial offices, because they are held to a higher ethical standard. Full and accurate disclosures ensure voters can confidently cast their ballot,” Rep. England said.
After viewing evidence, hearing witnesses, and arguments the subcommittee unanimously voted to withdraw Martin’s nomination. The SDEC will select its nominee for Circuit Judge of Montgomery County (Place 3) at its organizational meeting in Birmingham on August 13, 2022.
Excerpt from the committee’s order:
“The principles of the Alabama Democratic Party include “[t]hat the people are entitled to honest and ethical government; that it is demanded of all public servants that they make complete, current, public disclosure of all potential conflicts of interest; . . . and that they fairly make and administer the laws without fear or favor. It is the duty of all public servants to relentlessly support and enforce the highest ethical standards . . . .” SDEC Bylaws Art. I. Martin’s conduct bears directly on her fitness for the office she seeks. Candidates for judicial office should conduct themselves “in a manner that promotes public confidence in the integrity and impartiality of the judiciary.” Ala. Canons of Judicial Ethics 2A; Ala. Canons of Judicial Ethics 1 (judges should “observe high standards of conduct so that the integrity and independence of the judiciary may be preserved”). Further, like judges, candidates for judicial office must “avoid conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice which brings the judicial office into disrepute.” Ala. Canons of Judicial Ethics 2B.”