Judge Pamela Barker

Pamela A. Barker for Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court:
Cleveland Plain Dealer Endorsement Editorial

Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Judge Pamela A. Barker is the daughter of union parents and came to the bench with a varied background that included time spent as an in-house counsel with Progressive Insurance and 11 years as a magistrate in Brecksville.

Barker, who is a Republican, tried twice, unsuccessfully, to get elected to the trial court in heavily Democratic Cuyahoga County. It took the departure of disgraced Judge Steven Terry, convicted of federal bribery and perjury crimes, to open the door. Gov. John Kasich appointed her as Terry's replacement in 2011.

Since then, Barker has done much to distinguish herself, recently garnering excellent ratings from the four local bar associations in Cleveland that participate in the local Judge4Yourself.com judicial-rating process.

Barker, 56, faces Sherri Miday, an attorney with Manley, Deas, Kochalski who represents mortgage lenders in foreclosure cases. Miday, 37, comes across as smart and sincere. She also points out that her presence on the bench - she is of Egyptian descent - would add needed diversity. Miday, the wife of Ryan Miday, former spokesman for Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Bill Mason, is running with heavy Democratic backing, but in the Judge4Yourself process she was consistently rated a cut below Barker.  Miday may have qualifications to unseat a lesser judge, but not Barker.  Barker is the clear choice.