Editorial: Chairez's waffling an embarrassment

Just before the official filing period ended last Monday at 5 p.m., Chairez decided to file as a candidate in the Republican congressional primary. But since he waited until the final minutes to file his candidacy, Chairez has set up a complicated and onerous process to fill his judgeship.

If he had filed even a week earlier, then other candidates could have filed to replace him. But because there is no time left to get on the November ballot, those wishing to succeed him must go through a cumbersome process. They must circulate petitions and collect signatures of registered voters equal to 1 percent of those who voted in the last election, which is expected to be more than 1,000 signatures.

Considering Chairez's political party-switching past, maybe it shouldn't be too surprising that he couldn't make up his mind on whether he should run for a U.S. House seat. But other judges contemplating a career move should heed the mistakes of Chairez's indecision unless, of course, they want to be viewed by the public as a political Hamlet.

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