I think that you'll find that in family courts the judges opinions and not the laws rule in many instances. Just ask people who are paying child support how the judge decided. In some cases it's by the book, but there are many that I know of where the judge said "because that's what I think you should pay". Just ask a father who is trying to gain custody of his children how much the law comes into play in family court. There have been many cases in Worcester County MA where a particular judge has given custody of the children to the mother because she believed mothers raised children, not fathers. Had nothing to do with either parent's fitness as a parent, just the judge's belief.

Again, I fail to see what the judge's political affilitation has to do with anything. Zell Miller is a democrat who is more conservative than many republicans, and the current Governor of CA (Arnie ) is more liberal than many democrats. that's just two on the national scene, and there are probably hundreds of elected officials whose beliefs in no way shape or form follow their theoretical party affiliation.