Low Turnout and Campaign Tensions Mark Final Imperial County Judicial Forum

-Editorial

With less than a month remaining before voters decide the next Imperial County Superior Court judge, candidates Ben Salorio and Veronica Henderson faced one another during their final public forum on May 7 at Imperial Valley College. While the evening offered voters an opportunity to hear directly from both candidates on issues affecting the local judicial system, the event itself highlighted broader concerns regarding civic engagement, event organization and the increasingly tense atmosphere surrounding the race.

The forum was hosted by COLAB Imperial Valley and the Brawley Chamber of Commerce, with moderation led by Sher Cowie. Throughout portions of the evening, the event reflected a subdued atmosphere, falling short of the level of energy and engagement typically expected from a major public forum held so close to Election Day.

Perhaps the most notable aspect of the evening was the low attendance. Despite the importance of the judicial race and its direct impact on the community, the forum drew only a small audience. The sparse turnout raised questions about the effectiveness of the event’s promotion and overall organization. In previous election cycles, COLAB had built a reputation for organizing civic forums that successfully engaged residents, attracted strong attendance and encouraged meaningful public participation. This event, however, appeared to fall short of those standards.

A significant factor may have been the limited outreach to local media outlets capable of helping inform and connect the broader community to the event. Public forums play an important role in strengthening civic participation, particularly in judicial races where voters often have fewer opportunities to evaluate candidates. Without strong promotion and media collaboration, even critical community conversations risk failing to reach the public they are intended to serve.

The atmosphere throughout the evening also reflected the mounting pressure surrounding the campaign as Election Day approaches. Candidates appeared increasingly focused on earning voter support during the final stretch of the race, and the tension associated with a closely watched judicial contest was visible at various moments throughout the forum.

During the discussion, both candidates addressed questions regarding courtroom efficiency, access to justice, professional qualifications and public trust in the judicial system. The candidates also discussed the responsibilities that come with serving on the Superior Court bench and the importance of maintaining fairness and impartiality while presiding over complex cases.

Questions from moderators focused heavily on how each candidate would balance the constitutional right to due process with the need to ensure timely access to justice.

Henderson emphasized that criminal proceedings often require extensive preparation to ensure fairness and protect constitutional rights. Drawing from her 26 years of experience as a defense attorney, she stated that judges and attorneys must carefully review evidence, expert testimony and investigative findings before moving cases to trial. Henderson explained that delays may occur because of pending forensic reports, unavailable witnesses or ongoing investigations, but said unnecessary continuances should still be avoided whenever possible. She stressed that defendants must receive a full and fair opportunity to present their case.

Salorio, citing nearly 25 years of legal experience, said judges must carefully balance multiple constitutional protections that may occasionally conflict, including the right to a speedy trial, effective legal representation and due process. He noted that attorneys sometimes require additional time while awaiting DNA analysis, fingerprint evidence or autopsy reports. According to Salorio, judges must evaluate delays on a case-by-case basis to determine whether they are justified. He added that rushing cases through the system can ultimately result in appeals or retrials that create additional hardship for both victims and defendants.

Beyond the policy discussion, the evening also included moments that reflected the increasingly tense dynamics surrounding the campaign. Representatives from Beyond Borders Gazette reported that one member of Salorio’s team declined a complimentary copy of the publication’s latest edition, which was being offered at the event, after noting that the cover featured Henderson, his opponent. The publication reiterated that cover placements are available to any candidate through advance reservation as part of its standard advertising and editorial practices.

While campaigns naturally bring heightened emotions and political tensions, public behavior during community events can leave lasting impressions on voters. Judicial candidates, in particular, are seeking positions that require professionalism, composure, sound judgment, fairness, and the ability to navigate disagreement with restraint and respect for the public process. For many voters, those qualities extend beyond courtroom experience and include how candidates and their teams conduct themselves in public settings during moments of pressure. As the Spanish saying goes, “El que se enoja pierde” — those who lose their temper, lose; and “Never burn your bridges.”

As Imperial County voters prepare to make their decision in the coming weeks, the final forum served not only as a discussion about judicial philosophy and courtroom procedure, but also as a reflection of the broader campaign environment shaping this important local race.