Published: May 06, 2008 10:49 pm            

ELECTION 2008: Judge Orth wins Superior 1 primary

Incumbent Judge Susan L. Orth won the Democratic primary Tuesday, defeating defense attorney Michael McDaniel.

Orth, 49, has been judge of Floyd County Superior Court since being appointed in 2004. McDaniel, 64, ran against her for a spot on the November ballot for the seat. Orth took 62.89 percent of the vote, and had 10,924 ballots cast in her favor. McDaniel captured 37.11 percent of the ballots, or 6,447 votes.

Orth is now hoping to secure her seat as judge of what will be renamed Floyd County Superior Court No. 1 in 2009. The county decided to add two new courts to the justice system to deal with overloaded cases. The existing County Court will become Floyd County Superior Court No. 2, a Superior Court No. 3 will be added, and the Circuit Court will remain.

Orth, joined by a group of people wearing red shirts supporting her candidacy, celebrated her victory at Knights of Columbus in New Albany. Though no Republican challenger filed to run for the seat in the primary, it is still possible someone could come forward before the election deadline.

“I am thrilled about the win,” Orth said. “I had a tremendous team that worked really hard.”

Orth said she is hoping to continue to run the “court that addresses the needs of all citizens of Floyd County” for the next six years after the November election.

“It has been an absolute honor serving as judge for the past four years,” Orth said. “I’m excited about the future.”

Orth was originally appointed to replace retiring Judge Richard Striegel, and noted in a recent interview that most of her staff worked under him. She added that the employees running the current Superior Court have over 50 years of combined experience.

Orth holds a variety of degrees and memberships. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree with a double major in political science and psychology from Indiana State University in 1981. Orth graduated from the University of Louisville the next year with a Master of Science in criminal justice administration, and earned her law degree in 1985 from Chase College of Law. She was admitted to the Kentucky Bar in 1985, and the Indiana Bar the following year. Orth is married and the mother of a 13-year-old daughter.

McDaniel could not be reached for comment.

        

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