Robinson wins judge seat
In a race closely watched this election season, William “Wink” Robinson Jr. handily beat write-in opponent Jennifer Gilliland Vanasdale for Butler County Common Pleas judge.
Robinson took more than 73 percent of the vote with 25, 628 votes to Vanasdale's 9,174 votes, according to unofficial results.
The seat was vacated by Judge Marilyn Horan when she was appointed to the federal bench in Pittsburgh last year.
“It's very hard to put into words, other than a grassroots campaign with people willing to work can still be won in today's day and age of technology,” Robinson said of the win Tuesday night. “We're all very proud that Butler County citizens definitely recognized that we ran a clean campaign.”
Robinson said his camp aimed high and worked hard to prevent negativity throughout the race from the day he announced his candidacy in December.
He expects to bring that same sense of fairness to the county's common pleas court, where he anticipates being assigned to the family court division.
Robinson credits his 30-plus years of experience as key to assuming his new role — stressing how much of his practice the past 15 years centered on hearings in family court and orphan's court.
“I certainly appreciate the support of all Butler County voters, whether they voted for me or not,” Robinson said. “I will do my best to make them proud.”
Robinson told The Eagle late last week that he feels strongly about his work with families and considers a judge's role in family court to unify litigants, despite the challenges of satisfying everyone.Vanasdale mounted a write-in campaign this fall after Robinson won nods for judge from both Democrats and Republicans in the May primary.Vanasdale came in second in the polls for both parties in the primary and hoped to give voters a choice in what would have been a one-candidate race.She said she went into the election knowing the challenges and obstacles she faced but pushed forward because she firmly believed in her position.She said that despite the loss Tuesday, she believes she has started something bigger by giving a voice to her supporters. She said that while the race has been long process, she appreciates the opportunity.“I'm taking on a system by myself, but I'm a fighter and I'm going to keep on,” Vanasdale said. “We have a voice. I'm no longer standing alone and look forward to where this all takes me.”
