Lampasas County Democratic Party Chairman Daniel Melder and the Lampasas Democrats were host to speaker Kurt Kuhn Saturday at their monthly meeting, held at Eve's Cafe.

When Justice Jan Patterson announced she would not seek reelection in 2010 to the Third Court of Appeals, Kuhn announced his intention to run for the position.

During the informal dinner/ meeting, Kuhn spoke of his qualifications and reasons for running for political office. He said he grew up at a time when public service was an honorable profession, and that it's time to re-establish the respectability of working for the public.

When asked why he would give up a lucrative position as an appellate attorney to run for office, Kuhn replied, "The current court is not doing its job. It is far too partisan, and the quality of work is down.

"Right now, more than 13 percent of cases are over two years old. That's simply not acceptable," continued Kuhn. "I want to work for positive change within the court so it is expedient, less expensive and applies the law evenhandedly."

Kuhn plans to return to Lampasas for the Spring Ho parade and Labor Day Picnic, hosted by the local Democratic Party.