GREENFIELD — In 2008, when there was talk around the county about adding a fourth judge to the court system, D.J. Davis started thinking seriously about becoming part of the judiciary.
The pursuit of the dream is alive and well in 2020.
Davis is one of four candidates in the June 2 Republican primary vying for the judge’s seat in Hancock County Superior Court 1 for a six-year term. The others are Marie Castetter, the current Superior Court 1 judge who was appointed to the seat in December by Gov. Eric Holcomb; Cody Coombs, the court commissioner; and attorney Jessica Lacy. Stories about all the candidates are appearing this week in the Daily Reporter.
Davis has done something the other candidates haven’t until now: He’s already sought election to a judge’s seat.
Davis ran for Hancock County Circuit Court judge in 2018 and lost by less than 1,000 votes to Scott Sirk in the Republican primary. Sirk went on to win that November.
While that race didn’t turn out as he hoped, Davis has not been discouraged from continuing to pursue his goal. In late 2019, he decided to run again.
“I honestly came really close last time, and I’ve just been encouraged by so many to run again so I am,” Davis said.
Davis, a longtime county resident and lawyer with nearly 23 years of family, civil and criminal law experience, noted he thrives on being involved in doing things for the community, including things that can make a true and lasting impact.
“I’ve always had a heart to help my community,” Davis said. “Even as a lawyer, it’s not always about the legal things — I always try to dig and find out why people are in the situations they’re in.”
One of the issues Davis is promoting in his campaign is creating behavioral or mental health programs for the community, something he said he’s been passionate about since he first became a lawyer in the 1990s.
“Back in those days, the mental health aspect wasn’t really talked about a whole lot,” he said. “But, it’s always been something I’ve wanted to address.”
If elected judge, Davis wants to focus on doing more than having a mental health protocol, which is already in place in the county courts. He wants to see a whole new behavior health court that would allow veterans a treatment plan.
“As a judge you have to be open to doing and coming up with creative things, and that’s what I’ll do if I’m elected,” Davis said.
Jennifer Moore, a longtime family friend, said Davis has been a huge advocate when it comes to helping county families and children.
She has seen firsthand how the court system works and noted Davis has been the only person associated with her situation who has really put in an effort to help make a difference for her.
“He’s a real advocate of children who need a real supporter in the courts on their sides,” Moore said. “That’s the main reason I’m backing him.”
Moore and Davis became friends nearly a decade ago after meeting in church, she said. That’s where Davis became aware of her troubles in the court system, and he reached out to help her and her family.
“He’s got some good plans for helping folks with addiction, mental health and helping our veterans,” Moore said. “His experience in family law is really good.”
Jason White, a Greenfield attorney, is working for Davis as his campaign treasurer. The two met several decades ago when White was in law school and worked at the law offices where Davis practiced.
White noted Davis wants to be a judge and help run the county courts more than any other person he’s ever met in the law profession.
“His enthusiasm and passion really inspire me, and anyone who works with him or knows him well knows how badly he wants this position,” White said.
That drive is admirable, White said. White also knows Davis learned a great deal during the 2018 election.
“His grassroots effort of going out and getting to know people in the community, visiting more functions and going to more houses is really something,” White said before the pandemic put a halt to such an in-person strategy. “The number of votes he was able to amass last time was pretty amazing considering he didn’t have the high-profile candidates or the party backing him.”
White likes the fact Davis has a strong work ethic and never backs away from a challenge.
“On a scale of 1-10 work ethic, I’d put him at a 10, and that’s one of the strong characteristics you look for in a candidate,” White said. “He’s also fair and decisive.”
Davis said it’s important for judges to not fall into daily routines and to oversee each case as its own unique encounter with different people having different needs.
“If I’m ever a judge I know I’ll for sure be asking more questions on cases,” Davis said. “I’ll want to know what is going on with people and what their background is because you’ll be able to make more informed decisions regarding each particular case.”
Davis was born in the community and moved back to the area when he became an adult. It shows how much he cares for local residents, he said. Davis even calls himself “a judge for the people” on his campaign website.
“It’s time for a dedicated, local leader who will bring a fresh perspective to the Hancock County judiciary,” Davis said.
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The Daily Reporter is presenting profiles of candidates whose names will appear on the primary ballot for county offices. This week, the candidates for Hancock County Superior Court 1 judge are featured. Stories on candidates in all the other races in the June 2 primary were published earlier and can be found online at www.greenfieldreporter.com.
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Age: 47
Party: Republican
Office sought: Judge, Hancock Superior Court 1
Political experience: Elected Greenfield city councilman in District 5 in 2003; won a second term as an at-large candidate in 2007; served on Greenfield Area Plan Commission 2008-2011; candidate for Hancock County Circuit Court judge in 2018.
Family: Wife, Heather; two sons
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