The Full Read · Article by Article
Stephanie Dawkins Davis
Sixth Circuit · appt. Biden
7/7
🥇 Fit for the Bench
1Ethics & Recusalcritical
72%★ earned
“No man is allowed to be a judge in his own cause.” — Madison, Federalist No. 10
No documented disclosure lapse, conflict, or recusal failure; former federal prosecutor and district judge with a clean record.
2Fidelity to Democracycritical
74%★ earned
“…a government of laws, and not of men.” — Marshall, Marbury v. Madison
Limited appellate record shows conventional respect for precedent and the constitutional order; no documented defiance of higher courts.
3Judicial Temperament
73%★ earned
“Justice must satisfy the appearance of justice.” — Frankfurter
No documented complaints of incivility toward litigants or counsel; reputation as measured across magistrate and district service.
4Reason, Not Ideology
72%★ earned
“We are not final because we are infallible…” — Robert H. Jackson
Opinions reflect standard legal reasoning; thin public record shows no grievance-driven or result-oriented rhetoric.
5Intellectual Honesty & Precedent
72%★ earned
“…to stand by things decided.” (stare decisis) — the common-law maxim
No documented inconsistency with confirmation testimony or stare decisis; limited public appellate record to assess.
6Independence from Party
69%★ earned
“The complete independence of the courts of justice is peculiarly essential.” — Hamilton, Federalist No. 78
Recent Biden appointee with a short circuit record; too few notable cases to document crossings, scored near neutral.
7Personal Integrity
75%★ earned
“The time is always right to do what is right.” — Martin Luther King Jr.
No documented criminal, civil, or ethical matters; long career as prosecutor and judge without citable scandal.
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Scores are Independent 2026’s own editorial read against the Seven Articles — ≥60% earns the star. The first two Articles are critical: fail Ethics & Recusal or Fidelity to Democracy and there is no seal, whatever else holds. Each Article carries its founding quote as the yardstick. On bias →