UPDATE: Geoff Bradley (Division 1), Valeri Haughton (Division 2) and Kara Krothe (Division 8) have prevailed in the Nov. 3 general election.
This page provides information about local judicial candidates in the Nov. 3 general election for the Monroe County Circuit Court in Divisions 1, 2 and 8. The judgeships in other divisions are not up for election this year. Circuit Court judges are elected to six-year terms. There are no term limits. The Monroe Circuit Court is a unified court with nine divisions. The court has jurisdiction over every category of case that can be filed, from traffic violations to felonies, from small claims to corporate receiverships, and cases involving individuals and families. As a unified court, the system is managed with one budget, an Office of Court Services, and a Probation Department. Also on the ballot this year are retention votes for one Indiana Supreme Court justice and six Indiana Court of Appeals judges. Voters are asked whether to retain each judge or oppose retention. Find out more about those judges here. |
Monroe County Circuit Court: Division 1
The current judge in Division 1, Seat 9 is Elizabeth Cure, who is not seeking re-election. On Nov. 3, the seat will be contested by Democrat Geoff Bradley and Republican Carl Lamb.
Geoff Bradley (D)
![]() Geoff Bradley is a Deputy Prosecuting Attorney in the Monroe County Prosecutor's Office, a position he's held for 14 years. In 2018 he ran for Circuit Court judge in Division 8. He serves on the board of the Lotus World Music and Arts Festival.
Responses to Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce questions Campaign website Facebook campaign page League of Women Voters Vote411 candidate page Bloomington Herald-Times questionnaire CATS Candidates On Demand video Candidate Statement of Organization Contact info: bradley4judge@gmail.com |
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Carl Lamb (R)
![]() Carl Lamb is a Bloomington attorney with experience in criminal and civil law. He has been involved with several local nonprofits, and created the "Drop the Puck on Cancer" event as a nonprofit fundraiser.
Responses to Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce questions Campaign website Facebook page League of Women Voters Vote411 candidate page Bloomington Herald-Times questionnaire Candidate Statement of Organization Contact info: carl@carllamb4judge.com |
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Monroe County Circuit Court: Division 2
![]() In Division 2 (Seat 6), incumbent Valeri Haughton (D) is unchallenged. She is running for her third term, after serving for 12 years as judge. Prior to her election in 2008, she was a deputy prosecutor in Monroe and Marion counties. Her daughter, Nicole Bolden, is the Bloomington City Clerk.
Responses to Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce questions: NA Campaign website: NA Facebook campaign page League of Women Voters Vote411 candidate page Candidate Statement of Organization Contact info: HaughtonforJudge@gmail.com |
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Monroe County Circuit Court: Division 8
The Division 8, Seat 5 position will be contested by Republican Judy Benckart and Democrat Kara Krothe.
Judy Benckart (R)
![]() Judith Benckart currently serves as the Division 8 judge. She was appointed to the seat in 2018 by Gov. Eric Holcomb following the retirement of Judge Kenneth Todd. Prior to her appointment, she was a Monroe County deputy prosecutor.
Responses to Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce questions Campaign website Facebook campaign page League of Women Voters Vote411 page Bloomington Herald-Times questionnaire CATS Candidates On Demand video Candidate Statement of Organization Contact info: judgejudith2020@gmail.com |
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Kara Krothe (D)
![]() Kara Krothe is a Deputy Public Defender with the Monroe County Public Defender's Office, where she's worked for 15 years. In that role, she has also worked with the Monroe County Drug Treatment Court.
Responses to Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce questions Campaign website Facebook campaign page League of Women Voters Vote411 page Bloomington Herald-Times questionnaire CATS Candidates On Demand video Candidate Statement of Organization Contact info: karakrotheforjudge@gmail.com |
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