Attorney first judge candidate to declare interest

By Mark Webber – The Republic (mwebber@therepublic.com)
Published: 7/20/15 10:02 pm EDT
Updated: 7/21/15 11:50 am EDT

A Columbus attorney and community advocate has filed preliminary paperwork to seek the Republican nomination for Bartholomew Circuit Court judge in 2016.
Kelly Sue Benjamin is the first prospective candidate to indicate an intention to seek the position held by Democrat Stephen Heimann, who is not seeking re-election.
After Heimann announced his upcoming retirement from the bench to the Bartholo-mew County Bar Association this spring, Benjamin was approached by a number of her fellow attorneys who encouraged her to run, she said.
“Steve (Heimann) has been a fantastic judge, and his legacy will be integrity and efficiency,” Benjamin said. “It’s my hope to continue that.”
Benjamin, who earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, received a law degree in 1991 from Drake University Law School in Des Moines, Iowa. She has been practicing law for 23 years.
Before moving to Bartholomew County, Benjamin was a deputy prosecutor in Johnson County, an assistant district attorney in Stevens Point, and an associate with Terwilliger, Wakeen, Piehler & Conway, S.C., in Wausau, also in Wisconsin.
After her arrival in Columbus, Benjamin oversaw domestic violence and other cases for the office of Bartholomew County Prosecutor Bill Nash.
During that period, Benjamin increased the average domestic violence conviction rates from 50 to 75 percent and filed more domestic violence cases per year than any other prosecuting attorney in Bartholomew County history, she said.
As chairwoman of the Bartholomew County Domestic Violence Action Team, Benjamin received the 2011 Outstanding Prosecutor Award from the Indiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence.
In addition, Benjamin and her husband, Scott, served as co-chairs for the 2011 UnCommon Cause fundraiser for the Columbus Area Arts Council.
In April 2012, Benjamin became the first full-time Columbus city attorney when she was appointed by Mayor Kristen Brown. The city had previously contracted for all of its legal services.
However, she resigned after 12 months to become commissioner of Bartholomew County’s Child Support Court. In addition to that part-time position, Benjamin also became attorney for the Bartholomew Consolidated School Corporation.
After describing respect, dignity, and open-mindedness as the three most important qualities a judge should possess, Benjamin said it’s important for both the judicial system and law enforcement to be smart on crime, not just tough on criminals.
“As a judge, you also have to like people, which means listening to and working with them,” Benjamin said.
Sarah B. Cannon is chairperson of the Kelly Benjamin for Judge committee, according to a document submitted to the county clerk’s office. Jason E. Maddix is listed as committee treasurer, the document states.
Candidates cannot officially declare their candidacy for the 2016 elections until after Jan. 1.

About Kelly Benjamin
Who: Kelly Sue Benjamin
Age: 48
Employment: Attorney
Current office held: Commissioner of Bartholomew County’s Child Support Court, an appointed position.
Past office held: Columbus City attorney from 2012-13, an appointed position.
2016 election overview
The following offices will be up for election in Bartholomew County in 2016: President; U.S. Senate; governor; U.S. representative; state senator District 44; State representative Districts 57, 59 and 69; Circuit Court judge; county coroner; county surveyor; county commissioner District 1 and 3; county council at large; state convention delegates and Republican precinct committee members.