Candidates for Circuit Court Judge discuss visions for bench

The candidates for Hamilton County Circuit Court Judge, Alex McVeagh (left) and Kisha Cheeks (right).

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- Both candidates in the Hamilton County Circuit Court judge race presented their visions for the seat Wednesday morning at the Friends of Hixson meeting.

Republican nominee Alex McVeagh is facing off against Democratic nominee Kisha Cheeks for that bench.

They both believe they should take the fourth and current open seat vacated by the retired Judge Marie Williams.

They took some time to explain what their responsibilities would be, and what they would want to address on the bench.

Cheeks said, “People are questioning our justice system, whether or not it’s being applied fairly, whether or not they’re applying the laws, and whether or not they’re being applied to everyone fairly, and that’s what’s most important.”

A Circuit Court judge hears a variety of cases.

One example of a Circuit Court case we covered was the residency dispute of Chattanooga Councilwoman Demetrus Coonrod.

Judges also hear lawsuits with monetary value of over $25,000.

Perhaps most importantly to both candidates, most of their caseload involves family law including divorce and custody cases.

For Judge McVeagh, who says he experienced going through the divorce of his parents as a child, he understands the urgency of these situations.

“Maybe we have a way where folks can come together, resolve their differences in a way that leaves that child better off, long term. It’s important to have a judge that cares for our kids and this community,” he said.

Both say they want to help increase the speed of cases, as they say Hamilton County’s increasing population is putting a strain on our legal system, including the lack of an electronic filing system.

Cheeks says that her background as an engineer would be useful for tackling this issue.

“That in turn is just going to equal less attorney fees to you, as citizens and persons coming into court because your attorneys aren’t going to be charging those fees for something that they can do at a desk that they currently have to go to the courtroom to do,” she said.

 Also discussed was the need for new programs, as Judge McVeagh touted his involvement in the Hamilton County Drug Recovery Court and a program for tenants facing eviction.

He said, “What is so, so important that individuals potentially who come to the justice system work out their own disputes so that they can come to an agreement that everyone can live with and maybe not even have to go before the judge.”

No matter which primary you elect to vote in you can vote in this race since it’s a general election.

Early voting is underway for it, which lasts until July 27, and Election Day is August 1.