Local attorney Dix will run for associate judge

Editor's note: This story has been edited since its original publication.

With the filing period for the primary election days away, local lawyer Jeff Dix announced his candidacy for Division III associate circuit court judge.

Division III of the circuit court primarily handles misdemeanor and felony criminal cases through preliminary hearings, as well as domestic relations cases, some city traffic cases and small-claims cases.

Judge Gary Kamp, a Republican, has held the position since 1994.

Dix, also a Republican, tossed his hat into the ring once before when he ran for Division IV associate circuit judge in 1994. When he didn't win, he said he never thought about running again until his three children were out of school.

"Every four years I get asked to run and I always said: 'No, I'm raising my kids,'" said Dix.

He said he never missed one of his children's sporting events while they were growing up and coached several recreational, all-star and traveling baseball, softball, soccer and basketball teams over a span of 15 years. Now that his youngest daughter has graduated from high school, Dix said he's ready to bring his years of experience as a lawyer to the bench.

Dix has been a solo law practitioner in the area since 1991. Throughout his career, he said, he's most proud of his work in mediation because of the benefits it offers both parties.

"It helps keep an even keel," Dix said.

He said it also helps him see both sides of the issue, which he said can be difficult for an attorney but is vital for a judge.

Dix said he's tried an array of cases, from criminal to divorce, but most of his work coincides with the types of cases tried in Division III.

"It's the kind of work I know," he said. "It's what I do every day; I know the job in and out."

As a lawyer, Dix said he strives to treat every person he meets with "respect and dignity" and plans to continue that if elected judge.

"That's what I want people to say when they leave my courtroom, whether they win or lose: 'He treated me with respect; he gave me a fair shot,'" he said.

Although it's early, Dix has a campaign strategy in mind. He simply wants to meet as many people as he can. By going out into the community and striking up conversations, Dix said he hopes to get his name out there.

"Some candidates can come off as arrogant or disinterested," said Dix. "I want to meet as many people as I can to show them I'm not some arrogant fool or disinterested. I'm passionate about what I do."

Filing for the August primary election opens Tuesday. Both the Division III seat, represented by Gary A. Kamp, and Division IV associate circuit judge, represented by Scott A. Lipke, are on the ballot.

Kamp, who has held the position since 1994, has not yet announced whether he plans to run for another four years.

srinehart@semissourian.com

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