THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, February 24, 1996 TAG: 9602240358
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B5 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: METRO BRIEFS
DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH LENGTH: Short : 31 lines
The Women's Political Caucus of Southeastern Virginia on Friday endorsed prosecutor Ramona D. Baldwin for a new judgeship to be created in Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court.
The caucus cited Baldwin's experience prosecuting cases in the court, her degree and experience in nursing, and that she would be the first black woman among Virginia Beach's 20 judges.
``This in itself would be a giant step forward toward the gender and racial balance we all seek,'' caucus president Mary K. Rau said.
The new judge's seat is expected to be created by the General Assembly in the next two weeks. Other candidates for the job include Beach prosecutors Albert Alberi and Deborah Paxson, Norfolk prosecutor Catherine Dodson, and former state legislators A. Joe Canada Jr. and William ``Buster'' O'Brien.
The Virginia Beach Bar Association, which normally endorses candidates for judgeships, will not meet until March 21, two weeks after the General Assembly adjourns on March 9. The association's endorsement could still be a factor, however, if Republicans and Democrats in Richmond cannot agree on a candidate and throw the appointment to the city's Circuit Court judges. by CNB