After receiving a framed copy of the resolution, Judge got a standing ovation from her board colleagues and staff, and several commissioners praised her work on the board. Conan Smith (D-District 10) described her as a “force of nature,” while Rob Turner (R-District 1) cited her energy, passion, and compassion. Ronnie Peterson (D-District 6) called Judge ”an outstanding public servant – and I have not said that about many people in my career.”

Saying there were too many people to thank individually, Judge said she’s loved every minute of her time on the board. [She was first elected in 2008, then re-elected in 2010.] One of her goals, she said, has been to make people understand that government really works, and that most people in government are good. In her new job she’ll work with local and state governments nationwide, she said, helping address online security threats.

Much of Judge’s recent work has been related to cyber-security issues. She led the formation of the Washtenaw County Cyber Citizenship Coalition, and organized the Oct. 7 Michigan Cyber Summit, a day-long event that will serve as the kickoff for National Cyber Security Awareness Month. Keynote speakers include Janet Napolitano, secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder, and U.S. Congressman John Dingell.

Earlier today, the county announced the process for filling the vacant District 7 seat, which will be an appointment made by the board of commissioners. The deadline to apply is Wednesday, Oct. 12 at 5 p.m., and the board is expected to make a decision at its Oct. 19 meeting.

The board must make an appointment within 30 days of a resignation, for a commissioner to serve until special elections are held. There will be a Feb. 28, 2012 primary for that seat, followed by a May 2012 special general election. The winner of that election would serve a truncated term for the current District 7, through 2012. Redistricting of the county board that takes effect in 2013 will reduce the number of districts in the county from 11 to 9 – candidates for the new districts will compete in an Aug. 7 primary and November general election.

This brief was filed from the boardroom of the county administration building, 220 N. Main St. in Ann Arbor. A more detailed report will follow: [link]

From left: Washtenaw County commissioners Dan Smith (R-District 2), Kristin Judge (D-District 7), and Wes Prater (D-District 4), attending a meeting earlier this year of the county reapportionment commission. Judge announced her resignation from the county board on Friday.

Judge has accepted a job with the Multi-State Information Sharing and Analysis Center (MS-ISAC), which could put her in conflict with her elected role.

“My new position will focus on outreach efforts and will involve working with local governments across the nation,” Judge said in a written statement. “In my current role as county commissioner, I have been involved in cyber security initiatives at the local, state and federal level. To avoid an appearance of conflict between my role as commissioner and my new position, it is best served that I resign from elected office before beginning work with local governments across the country.” [.pdf of press release] [.pdf of resignation letter]

At a county board retreat earlier this year, Judge cited issues of public safety, and her activism against Walmart – because of safety issues the store in Pittsfield Township posed – as reasons prompting her to run for office in 2008. She’s been active in public safety issues on the local, state and national levels, and more recently in efforts related specifically to cyber security.

Judge currently serves on the executive committee for MS-ISAC. According to the organization’s website, its mission is ”to improve the overall cyber security posture of state, local, territorial and tribal governments.” Established in 2003, it is now a division of the nonprofit Center for Internet Security.

In addition to her work as county commissioner, Judge serves on the judiciary and public safety committee for the Michigan Association of Counties (MAC), and is a member of the justice and public safety steering committee for the National Association of Counties (NACo). She was instrumental establishing the Washtenaw County Cyber Citizenship Coalition, and in organizing the Oct. 7 Michigan Cyber Summit, a day-long event that will serve as the kickoff for National Cyber Security Awareness Month. Keynote speakers include Janet Napolitano, secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder, and U.S. Congressman John Dingell.

Although MS-ISAC is based in a suburb of Albany, N.Y., Judge plans to remain in Pittsfield Township. Her blog – “All Politics Is Local” – has focused on issues related to local and state government.

Judge is one of eight Democrats on the 11-member county board. The board is responsible for appointing a replacement within 30 days of the resignation. Between Oct. 9 and Nov. 9, the board has two regular meeting scheduled: On Wednesday, Oct. 19 and Wednesday, Nov. 2. The next board meeting is on Wednesday, Oct. 5.

Responding to a Chronicle query via email, county clerk Larry Kestenbaum stated that when a vacancy on the board occurs during an odd-numbered year, a special primary and special general election are required. A resignation at this point will likely result in a February 28, 2012 primary (along with the presidential primary) and a May 2012 special general election.

A special election costs essentially nothing, according to Kestenbaum, if there is already an election scheduled. A standalone special election would cost about $1,200 per precinct, including ballot printing, election worker wages, required advertising, etc., but not counting the time of regular staff.

County commissioners are elected to two-year terms. The next general election for their seats is in November 2012. Redistricting that was approved earlier this year will be implemented for the next election cycle. For background, see Chronicle coverage: “County Board Loses 2 Seats in Redistricting.”

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