Press Release –October 12, 2018

CALHOUN COUNTY BAR ASSOCIATION 2018 JUDICIAL CANDIDATE POLL

The Calhoun County Bar Association is a Michigan non-profit corporation whose members are
lawyers who do, or did, regularly practice law or live in Calhoun County, Michigan. The CCBA
presently has 111 members. 1 A survey was sent to all members regarding the 2018 election for a
new judge for the 10th District Court, which consists of Calhoun County. The judicial vacancy is
due to the retirement of The Honorable James D. Norlander, who is barred from running again
due to being 70 years of age or older. The two candidates are Dan Buscher and Tracie Tomak.

The Calhoun County Bar Association as an organization does not endorse any candidate. Rather,
the results below are a compilation of the responses of the 85 members who completed the
survey (one person did not respond to question 5; three people did not respond to question 9).

1. As it relates to his District Court Judicial Candidacy, how would you rate Dan Buscher's
work capacity, such as diligence, punctuality, preparedness, trial management and
settlement skills?

Highly Qualified 54.1%

Qualified 29.4%
Not Qualified 8.2%
No Opinion 8.3%
2. As it relates to her District Court Judicial Candidacy, how would you rate Tracie Tomak's
work capacity, such as diligence, punctuality, preparedness, trial management and
settlement skills?

Highly Qualified 22.4%

Qualified 30.6%
Not Qualified 37.6%
No Opinion 9.4%

3. As it relates to his District Court Judicial Candidacy, how would you rate Dan Buscher's
interpersonal skills, such as courtesy, attentiveness, patience and respect for parties?

Highly Qualified 40.0%

Qualified 42.3%
Not Qualified 11.8%
No Opinion 5.9%

1
Not every lawyer who regularly practices or lives in Calhoun County is a CCBA member.
4. As it relates to her District Court Judicial Candidacy, how would you rate Tracie Tomak's
interpersonal skills, such as courtesy, attentiveness, patience and respect for parties?

Highly Qualified 28.2%

Qualified 30.6%
Not Qualified 34.1%
No Opinion 7.1%

5. As it relates to his District Court Judicial Candidacy, how would you rate Dan Buscher's
judicial temperament, such as impartiality, integrity and decisiveness?

Highly Qualified 47.6%

Qualified 32.1%
Not Qualified 14.3%
No Opinion 6.0%

6. As it relates to her District Court Judicial Candidacy, how would you rate Tracie Tomak's
judicial temperament, such as impartiality, integrity and decisiveness?

Highly Qualified 24.7%

Qualified 27.1%
Not Qualified 40.0%
No Opinion 8.2%

7. As it relates to his District Court Judicial Candidacy, how would you rate Dan Buscher's
professional qualifications, such as legal ability, knowledge and experience?

Highly Qualified 61.2%

Qualified 28.2%
Not Qualified 5.9%
No Opinion 4.7%

8. As it relates to her District Court Judicial Candidacy, how would you rate Tracie Tomak's
professional qualifications, such as legal ability, knowledge and experience?

Highly Qualified 20.0%

Qualified 28.2%
Not Qualified 44.7%
No Opinion 7.1%

9. In the 2018 election for the open judicial seat in the 10th District Court, who is your
preferred candidate?

Dan Buscher 71.9%

Tracie Tomak 28.1%
Prepared by:
Kent A. Bieberich (P52978)
Humbarger, Zebell, Parks & Bieberich, P.C.
3 Heritage Oak Lane
Battle Creek, Michigan 49015
Telephone: 269.979.3990
Fax: 269.979.3660
kbieberich@hzpelaw.net