By Steve Kemme
The Cincinnati Enquirer

HAMILTON - All eight candidates running for four judicial seats on Butler County's Nov. 5 ballot avoided a "not recommended" rating from the Butler County Bar Association.

In the only contested Common Pleas judicial race, Charles Pater got a "recommended" rating and his opponent, Farrell Goodman, was not rated.

Donald Crain, bar association president, emphasized that "not rated" doesn't mean the candidate isn't qualified. It just means there was insufficient information for a rating.

Mr. Goodman works as attorney-editor at Anderson Publishing Co. in Cincinnati and doesn't have a private law practice.

The seat was created this year by the state legislature.

The legislature also created a second juvenile court judge seat in Butler. In that race, Ronald Craft was given a "highly recommended" rating, and his opponent, James Shew, was rated "recommended."

In uncontested races, Judge James Wash of the 12th District Court of Appeals, Common Pleas Judge H.J. Bressler and Common Pleas Judge Michael Sage got "highly recommended" ratings. Probate Court Judge Randy Rogers was given a "recommended" rating.

E-mail skemme@enquirer.com