By DAVE KITCHELL
Pharos-Tribune staff writer
Cass County voters will have one more race to think about this fall, and it involves the highest-paying elected office in the county.
Logansport attorney Leo Burns is announcing today he is running for Cass Circuit Court judge. Burns, 53, a Democrat, is a political newcomer, as was Republican Sheryl Pherson, who won a three-way race for the Republican nomination on the ballot. They both are seeking a seat held by outgoing Judge Julian Ridlen, who is not seeking a third term.
“Sheryl is an excellent attorney and she has had a lot of experience doing many of the things I have, but I think the voters deserve to have a choice when they go to the polls, whether it’s just a different person or a different party,” Burns said. “I’ve had a few more birthdays, but I’ve had opportunities to practice many types of law throughout the county.”
Burns has been the Logansport city attorney for the past three years, but has spent extensive time on issues involving rural Cass County residents. He served as the attorney for both the Pioneer and Southeastern School Boards, and he was a Cass deputy prosecutor for 14 of the 20 years he has practiced law. He also worked as the Cass County Drainage Board attorney and was the attorney for the Cass County Division of Family and Children. For 10 years, he was a mock trial team coach at Pioneer where his students won the first Indiana state mock trial championship.
He said he is interested in continuing Judge Ridlen’s long-term commitment to the Adolescent Intramural Mentoring (AIM) program and the Cass County Family Support Center, which was started by former Circuit Judge Don Leicht.
Burns has extensive trial experience as a deputy for former Prosecutor Rick Maughmer, who is now the Superior Court II judge.
Burns said the Circuit Court judgeship involves many juvenile issues because of its jurisdiction and he has a background as both a former Cass County Youth Service Bureau Board member and former president of the Cass County Family Y Board. He has served two six-year terms on the latter.
Burns is a partner at Leeman & Burns, but prior to becoming a full-time deputy for Maughmer, was a partner with current County Attorney John Hillis.
He and his wife, Lucy, a Southeastern school teacher, have lived in the community for 30 years. Burns is a Norristown, Pa., native who received his bachelor’s degree in political science and English from Purdue University and his law degree from Valparaiso University. He is a member and former president of the Logansport Rotary Club and has taught business law at Indiana University at Kokomo and Ivy Tech State College.
Prior to practicing law, Burns worked for Baker Specialty and the former Favya shoe store in the Logansport Mall.
His candidacy leaves Democrats with vacancies for District 16 and District 24 state representative, sheriff, prosecutor, Superior Court II judge and recorder.
Dave Kitchell may be contacted at 722-5000, Ext. 5150, or via e-mail at david.kitchell@pharostribune.com
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